Thread: Churches urge politicians to act in Postville

Churches urge politicians to act in Postville

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Posted: Wednesday, November 26, 2008
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Representatives of 20 churches have urged politicians to take action in Postville, where they say a humanitarian crisis is under way due to fallout from a raid at a kosher slaughterhouse.

In a letter sent Tuesday, the leaders of churches in Postville and Decorah asked Gov. Chet Culver, Lt. Gov. Patty Judge, U.S. Sens. Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley, and U.S. Reps. Bruce Braley and Tom Latham to take action.

"There is a humanitarian crisis in Iowa, with as many as 350-500 people hungry, jobless and homeless as winter sets," the letter reads. "... The people of Postville and surrounding communities have responded generously and courageously, but more specialized assistance will be required to face and rise above the crisis."

The letter from Decorah Area Faith Coalition, representing 17 churches in Decorah, and three Postville churches said volunteers have assisted hundreds of workers and their families who have been affected by problems at the Agriprocessors meatpacking plant. The plant has struggled to operate since nearly 400 workers were arrested in a May 12 immigration raid, and recent financial problems recently forced the company to close the plant.

The letter requests that political leaders assess the situation and offer government help.

"The Postville situation continues to deteriorate and it's affecting the whole four-county region," the Rev. Carol Kress, of First United Methodist Church in Decorah, said in an interview.

Kress said local charities and churches had pitched in as best they could, finding shelter and food for workers, at a cost of about $100 per worker a week. But she said their efforts were taxing and that there's a belief in the community that the government could do much more to help.

"We're amazed by the lack of attention that this situation's been given," Kress said. "I'm kind of stunned that none of them have really been here since the raid happened, in May."

Telephone calls to Culver's office and to Agriprocessors chief executive officer Bernard Feldman for comment were not immediately returned.

The company had also operated a plant near Gordon, Neb. It has closed because of the company's financial problems.
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/article ... 0ed3b4.txt

And in the same newspaper:

Mexican man pleads guilty to transporting illegal immigrants
9:15 PM

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By Molly Montag
mmontag@siouxcityjournal.com | Posted: Tuesday, November 25, 2008
SIOUX CITY -- Authorities say a Mexican man who has been deported or forced to leave the country 12 times has pleaded guilty to transporting illegal immigrants in Woodbury County.

The U.S. Attorney's Office announced Tuesday that Jose Rosalio Trujillo-Perez, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of transportation of illegal immigrants. He faces up to 10 years in prison.

According to court documents, an Iowa State trooper stopped Trujillo-Perez on Nov. 5 for a traffic violation on southbound Interstate 29 in Woodbury County.

The trooper contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials when Trujillo-Perez and all five passengers presented Mexican travel documents.

According to court documents, an investigation found that Trujillo-Perez had entered the country illegally on Oct. 25 in southeast Arizona. He agreed to drive 11 illegal immigrants from Phoenix to Sioux Center, Iowa, and Pennsylvania to erase a $1,500 debt to a human smuggler.

Trujillo-Perez already had dropped off some of the people in Sioux Center and was on his way to Pennsylvania when he was arrested, according to court documents.
http://tinyurl.com/68y3fq

Kress said local charities and churches had pitched in as best they could, finding shelter and food for workers, at a cost of about $100 per worker a week. But she said their efforts were taxing and that there's a belief in the community that the government could do much more to help.

Too bad, so sad NOT. You wanted them, YOU feed them! We are sick and tired of having our hard earned money spent on illegal aliens.

The only help the government should give these illegal aliens and their families is a one way passage back to their own countries.

What they are looking for here is a chunk of the bailout money

Well I've got news for them. All over this country there are American citizens facing everything those in Postville are facing. Where are the religious groups and other coalitions asking for help for those people?