Iowa immigration raid is one of biggest of its kind

Nearly 400 people were arrested Monday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in a raid on a meat-packing plant in Iowa. The raid was apparently one of the biggest of its kind and came after months of planning, according to this release from Immigration and Customs enforcement.

Of the 390 detainees, 290 were Guatemalans and 93 were Mexicans, as well as a handful of Israelis and Ukrainians, officials said in this report.

Associated Press reports below that more than 40 of the detainees were later released, mostly because they have children to look after.

In the second video, from DesMoinesRegister.com, you can watch the families of the detainees in Iowa protesting for their release.

Updates here from the Des Moines Register.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

Comments

[Jennifer B]

Wow, what happened to the concepts of "compassion" and "helping others who are less fortunate"? Or, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you"? It is my hope that our country is able to remain prosperous and independent and our citizens never have to look to other nations for economic opportunities, because it is doubtful that we would be welcomed with our current attitude toward immigrants to be in a position of being one ourself! I am of European decent, a Daughter of the American Revolution, born and raised in this country. I was educated in our public school system that this country began as a melting pot for all who were looking for opportunity and a way to better provide for themselves and their families. So what changed? I find myself profoundly ASHAMED of the negative and uncaring attitudes of my fellow Americans. One could easily argue that unemployed Americans feel that the jobs held by illegal aliens are "beneath them", which would be as untrue as the stereotypes applied to immigrants who fill those positions. This does nothing to solve the problems. Everyone wants to place blame instead of putting aside differences and coming together to find solutions that will benefit everyone involved. I think everyone should remember that the only people who originally resided in the US were the Native Americans. Everyone else has been born of an immigrant family, so who are we to judge the worthiness of others?

[James C]

This is a drop in the bucket. There are HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of illegal, undocumented individuals from MANY countries taking advantage of average US citizens. Imagine this my friends, an illegal individual steals your Social Security # and works illegally in this country. They report their anchor babies and when you file your taxes, you are charged or fined because not enough money was taken out to pay for their illegal actions. They should serve 1 year in jail and their ENTIRE family should be deported.

[win]

Aggrevated Identity theft, fraudulent use of Social Security numbers and other crimes, a criminal search warrant.

These are big clues that this is about crime.

First we are told that we need illegal immigration, that it shouldn't be against the law, then that we should not prosecute other laws. Nor should we deport no matter the crime made.

Is there any law at all that it is lawful to enforce?

If not perhaps we should just get rid of all law enforcement, judges, lawyers and etc

[Rosanna Castro]

Are people being pulled over on the road randomly in Iowa because of what happen at the meat packing factory to find more illegal immigrants?

[halley]

This is sad. "No human being is illegal". Which means we should have no laws. Which means, with laws you can manipulate, then it's okay to steal from my neighbors, because my family needs food. And don't forget, my neighbors are poor too. But, the illegals aren't hurting anybody. Ask that to my neighbor who is now a parapalegic because of a undocumented individual driving under the influence. Thank you!

Maybe no human being is illegal but if he breaks the law, he is a criminal. Maybe we should call them “criminal aliens.” That would be describing them better.
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Criminal aliens are hurting ever taxpaying citizen of this country and those who are not paying taxes. I do not pay taxes anymore, but I have been a victim of Criminal Alien crime and thousands of others have.

[robinia]

PEOPLE...

Separate the individual from their undocumented status. Their undocumented status that is BREAKING the law is the issue. The individual is the sacrificial lamb.

[Brittanicus]

With the Postville, meatpacking plant being caught up in sweeps of (ICE) Immigration and customs Enforcement, it was discovered at least 390 illegal aliens working at ' Agriprocessors' Not only had they voted in union matters, but the courts deemed in it's ruling valid. The question is how many illegal foreign nationals are voting in primaries? If people came to this country illegal and broke one law. It doesn't need any stretch of the imagination to know that they will perjury themselves and vote in our general election, when so much is a stake; our countries future?

Overpopulation, congestion, urban sprawl, pollution, environmental damage, crime, diminishing resources, Diseases, lack of affordable housing, depressed wages, underground economic, fraudulent documents, identity theft, tax evasion, soaring crime rate, increased tax burdens, overcrowded schools, uneducated children, overcrowded prisons, inadequate health care, the balkanization of our communities and a large and growing population with loyalty to other Nations. Just read this disturbing revelation of costs, that our government skims from our paycheck to pay an illegal Paul. (www.eagleforum.org/sources)

As for the Postville plant, now that the illegal aliens have been removed. The employers will have to hire waiting citizens and pay decent wages, with benefits. It will not be long before the 'deserted town' will quickly accommodate US workers, who want to be near their job. Did this author quickly forget that the company quickly will transported new legal hires, to work at the plant. Remember the new President will enact a massive AMNESTY, then that promotes an open-door for millions more to come; compliments of the Globalists. A few states now are representing the American taxpayers, such as Arizona, Georgia, Oklahoma and Rhode Island, instead of the special interest lobby. It's taken forty years of complete inattention or betrayal by Washington and timid Governors, Mayors and their lieutenants. Now they must face up to the fact that the majority of taxpayers are sick and tired, of being a welfare system for big business who hire cheap illegal labor. The 'blue dog' Democrats headed by Madam Pelosi, doesn't want the Federal SAVE ACT (H.R.4088) to come to a vote, to halt the travesty of our immigration laws. Call your Democratic lawmaker to represent you and not corporate welfare?

[edwina]

This is sad. "No human being is illegal". Which means we should have no laws. Which means, with laws you can manipulate, then it's okay to steal from my neighbors, because my family needs food. And don't forget, my neighbors are poor too. But, the illegals aren't hurting anybody. Ask that to my neighbor who is now a parapalegic because of a undocumented individual driving under the influence. Thank you!