Central Region

Immigration Chaos in Iowa

Postville raid sows fear and uncertainty

Sign at a vigil in Des Moines, May 13, 2008, protesting the raid in Postville. Photo: Jon Krieg

On May 12, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), together with the U.S. Iowa Northern District Attorney, carried out the largest single-site immigration raid in U.S. history. The raid at Agriprocessors, Inc., a kosher meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa, resulted in the detention of 389 women, men, and minors. Men were initially held at the National Cattle Congress Fairgrounds in Waterloo, Iowa, and the women were taken to the Hardin County Jail.

Throughout Monday, May 12, and Tuesday, May 13, approximately 48 of those detained were released on probation wearing a Global Positioning System (GPS) anklet. Most of those who were released were women with children, people with an illness, and minors.

AFSC, as part of the Immigrant Safety Network©, helped mobilize hundreds of people to assist in different capacities, including legal aid, “Know Your Rights” presentations, and humanitarian assistance.

Below, AFSC-Iowa staff members Ann Naffier, Kathleen McQuillen, and Sandra Sanchez provide more details about the raid and its aftermath.

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Heartbreak in Postville
by Ann Naffier

The young man who sat across from me listened earnestly to everything I said. He was in hand-cuffs and shackles, sitting up straight, attentive, and painfully polite.

A government-made disaster
by Sandra Sánchez

Imagine that you go to work one morning and discover that your presence in the workplace is considered a violation of federal laws.

Kathleen McQuillen

Commentary: ‘We are all related’
by Kathleen McQuillen

This is a theme that runs through many of the great philosophies. Is that not what Jesus was saying in his caution: “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do also to me”?

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You can help

Following the May 12 immigration raid in Postville, Iowa, around 300 families are in need of money for rent, food, and other basic needs. AFSC-Iowa has requested that people send money instead of in-kind contributions. There is one exception: prepaid disposable mobile phones or phone cards. Many families had to cancel their phone service and have moved in with friends or neighbors, knowing they will have no money to pay for rent and their basic needs.

Humanitarian aid is still very much needed and can be sent to:

Saint Bridget's Hispanic Ministry
Attn: Sister Mary McCauley
PO BOX 369
Postville, IA 52162

To get more information and find out where to send donations, please contact the AFSC-Iowa office, (515) 274-4851 (phone), (515) 274-2003 (fax), afscdesm@afsc.org

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