A coalition of human rights, immigrant, labor and religious groups have issued a report criticizing INS policies regarding the raiding of employment locations. Specifically, the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) claims the INS regularly abuses the civil rights of US citizens as well as noncitizens.

The report, entitled "Portrait of Injustice," studied more than 200 INS raids in 31 cities. The account outlines a pattern of rights violations including physical and verbal abuse, sexual assault and damage to small businesses as a direct result of INS raids.

The NNIRR condemns raids because they violate the right of US citizens to protection against unlawful searches and seizures. When the INS raids an employer, everyone in the office, US citizens and noncitizens alike, are questioned. The organization argues that this is a violation of the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution's protections against illegal searches.

The NNIRR has called on Congress to require INS to end the practice of work site raids, keep detailed records on raids and establish a system for people to report abuses. The group also suggested that Congress hold hearings on the impact of the raids.

The report also outlined an interesting phenomenon where employers actually call the INS to raid the work site. This has occurred when employers learn of union organizing activities at the work site. The INS can do the dirty work of getting rid of potentially troublesome workers who support bringing in a union rather than the employer having to fire the employee.