Fearing raid, immigration-rights activists meet in Waterloo

NIGEL DUARA • REGISTER STAFF WRITER • May 11, 2008

Several Iowa immigration-rights activists gathered today at a Waterloo church and the home of a local social worker to discuss what they consider to be an impending immigration raid.

The discussions were prompted by federal officials' lease last week of the National Cattle Congress fairgrounds in Waterloo.

Local immigration-rights activists fear the fairgrounds will be used as a detention center. Federal officials have refused to comment on whether an immigration raid is pending.

The activists discussed today possible strategies to help “pick up the piecesâ€