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The Invisible Victims of September 11th

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Private charities and government agencies have rushed to the aid of the victims of the September 11th attacks. Both those who lost family members in the World Trade Center and those whose jobs have been eliminated due to the economic slowdown following the attack are eligible for various types of assistance. But journalist Ruben Martinez says one segment of the population is not getting the assistance they need: undocumented workers. On Tuesday, 69 illegal immigrant workers at the Salt Lake City Airport were arrested as part of "Operation Safe Travel." Most of these were Mexican immigrants who officials are pretty sure would never take part in terrorism. But fears about homeland security are changing the way America views and treats illegal immigrants. While just a few months ago, President Bush was talking about granting broad amnesty to Mexican illegals, now the INS is cracking down on anyone in the U.S. illegally. This hour, the plight of illegal immigrants in post-Sept. 11th America.

Guests:

Ruben Martinez, associate editor at Pacific News Service and author of "Crossing Over: A Mexican Family on the Migrant Trail"

This program aired on December 12, 2001.

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