Federal Agents Return To Marshalltown
Red Cross Helps Families Affected By Operation
POSTED: 9:56 am CST December 15, 2006
UPDATED: 10:03 am CST December 15, 2006

AMES, Iowa -- Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were back in Marshalltown on Thursday looking for several more illegal immigrants that they missed during Tuesday's raid of a meatpacking plant.

On Tuesday, ICE agents arrested 90 illegal workers.

"They had a list of six suspects that they were looking for that were involved in this identity theft ring that they were investigating," said Marshalltown Police Chief Lon Walker.

Unlike the raid at the Swift & Co. plant, Walker said ICE agents tried tracking down the six people at their homes.

Walker said one woman was arrested with multiple IDs, of which one belonged to a woman in Dallas.

"The lady that was taken into custody today, they told me was responsible for about a $30,000 lost to this lady in Dallas, Texas, who had her identity stolen," Walker said.
As the investigation continues, community leaders and organizations are scrambling to help those children and families left behind.

"We are doing what the Red Cross does, which is maintain neutrality and to maintain a focus on the humanitarian aspect," said American Red Cross worker Mary Dooley.

Dooley said they have had several people in the community offer clothing, toys and childcare.

But she said that right now, it's too early to determine the exact needs of those left behind.

"Right now it's still in the early stages of information gathering and making sure everybody does have the information they need in a coordinated fashion," Dooley said.

The Red Cross and other organizations said they hope that by next week they'll have a better idea of some of the needs, so that the community can help.

There are strong opinions on both sides of this issue, but many of the folks NewsChannel 8 talked to Thursday were confident the issue won't divide the community, and the people in Marshalltown will pull together.

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