I received a call earlier today from a former co-worker who also happens to be one of my closest friends. We don’t see one another often anymore because of the physical distance between us. Today’s call was a little different than the others I’ve ever gotten. For the phone to ring before 7 p.m. and it be her number on the i.d. sends up red flags. After all, an employee of Howard Industries, Inc. located in Laurel, MS very rarely sees eight or even ten hour work days. Twelve hour days are generally the rule of thumb. I know this because I was one of those employees. Getting back to the phone call, I answer it expecting to hear one of two things: she’s either thrown a computer at someone or she’s getting married. Either announcement would’ve been exciting, but what I got instead had me thinking, “Yep…it was just a matter of time” followed by, “No way! You’re kidding, right? You quit your job and this is your way of softening the blow, right?”

Turns out Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, a total of about 700 agents, have raided Howard Industries. As of 5 p.m. CT, HI has yet to release a statement, but insists one is forthcoming. That’s OK, though, because FOX News and CNN both have satellite trucks parked and are preparing live feeds. This raid is due to recent contract negotiations and a new contract that while passed, was done so reluctantly.

This morning, while folks were beginning their typical Mondays and heading off to work, they were met with roadblocks and agents, complete with rifles blocking the entrances into the transformer plant. The raid had begun prior to 8 a.m., which is the time office personnel typically report to work but after the plant personnel have started their workdays. A list was quickly provided to the agencies so that certain management personnel could enter the building to contact other employees, vendors and suppliers. The men and women were separated and more than a few immigrants were found hiding in the enormous power transformer shells in the plant. One ICE agent was overheard saying, “Here’s the smoking gun.” No areas were off-limits, including my friend’s office and my one-time office.Laurel, MS has a couple chicken processing plants that seem to have been stricken with a sudden, widespread sickness among their plant employees and as such, have allowed their employees to leave so that they may tend to their sore throats or upset stomachs….whatever the case may be. Interstate 59 is quite active, from what I’ve been told.

Meanwhile, back at HI, the parking lots still hold the employee vehicles pending searches. It’s not quite understood what they’re searching for at this point, since any illegal immigrants that would’ve found safety inside a vehicle has surely abandoned that idea with the 90 degree temperatures that are common in south MS this time of year. The conference rooms in the admin buildings were typically used as a common holding room for some employees, specifically the ones on the list provided earlier this morning.

A memorandum that is addressed to all HI employees reiterates the company policy of verifying all work statuses for each employee. Look as though the ball was dropped years ago and was never picked back up.

Looking into the crystal ball for an idea of what the immediate future holds, an announcement was made by the Howard family stating that all employees were to report for their scheduled shifts tomorrow. I’m assuming that includes only the employees who have verified work statuses.

For anyone who isn’t familiar with Howard Industries, this is a typical American success story. Billy Howard founded the company in the 1960s with startup funds from his closest friends, who happen to remain stockholders to this day. The Laurel plant builds power transformers and is the largest manufacturer in America. Its closest competitor is General Electric. HI manufactures transformers for such companies as Southern Cal Edison, Southern Company and most other MUNIs and EPAs in the U.S.

It should be noted that Howard Industries is the second largest employer in the state of MS, with Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding being the largest (see my post on Dickie Scruggs).

After successfully building the transformer division, the Howards’ then went on to build a ballast plant located just south of Jackson, MS. That was soon followed by Howard Trucking division, located about six miles from the transformer plant, in Ellisville, MS and most recently, in Sandersville, MS, the computer plant was erected and is becoming as successful as Mr. and Mrs. Howards’ other divisions. The Howards’ adult children have returned to the family business after earning their college degrees and each are respected in their divisions.

If there wasn’t a huge controversy brewing already on a national level regarding illegal immigrants earning their livings in America, this is sure to highlight it in such a way that no good can come.

For local coverage, visit the Hattiesburg American.