May 15, 2008

CHICAGO – Members of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville, Iowa, are responding to the needs of people who have been affected by a May 12 federal immigration raid at a Postville meat processing plant. Hundreds of family members of those arrested have taken refuge inside St. Bridget's Catholic Church, Postville, said the Rev. Stephen P. Brackett, St. Paul Lutheran Church.

On May 12 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested 390 people, and are seeking an additional 300 people who were not at the kosher meatpacking plant, Agriprocessors Inc. The purpose of the raid was to secure evidence of possible identity theft, stolen Social Security numbers and illegal immigration, said Tim Counts, an ICE spokesperson. Federal officials said the raid was the largest operation of its kind in U.S. history.

Most of the people arrested were believed to be from Guatemala and Mexico, and some were from Israel and Ukraine, the Associated Press reported. They were taken to Waterloo, Iowa, where most remain. More than 50 people were released on humanitarian grounds to care for children, and a few others were released because of medical conditions. Some who were released were fitted with ankle bracelets, Brackett said.

Church members and others in the community have stepped in to help family members who were not arrested but affected, Brackett said. Those who are at St. Bridget's include newborns, children, teens, adults, mothers, fathers and grandparents, he said. Brackett estimated that as many as 30 members of St. Paul are helping out at St. Bridget's by providing and serving food, providing clothing, helping with sleeping arrangements, tutoring students and reading to younger children. Also helping out at St. Bridget's are several students from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, one of 28 ELCA colleges and universities, he said.

"We're almost overwhelmed with the food and clothing donations that have come in," Brackett said. "We're trying to bring in resources as they are needed."

For those arrested a significant need will be securing legal help, Brackett said. The cost of meeting with a lawyer is at least $150 per person, he said.

No one is staying at St. Paul because most people affected are Roman Catholic and afraid to leave the church building for fear of arrest, Brackett explained. Some children have been able to return to school during the day, he said. A nearby Presbyterian church is housing a few people.

Calling the situation "very traumatic" for those affected, Brackett said some family circumstances are "excessively complicated" because some children are U.S. citizens and their parents may not be U.S. citizens. Families could be broken up if members are deported, he said.

"This could go on for a while," Bracket said. "We may have people here for a long, long time."

"Families and friends are suffering tremendous loss and grief," said the Rev. Steven L. Ullestad, bishop, ELCA Northeastern Iowa Synod, Waverly, in a message to the synod. "The long-term implications for these families, as well as the impact on the schools and businesses of Postville, are significant."

The synod is working with the local Catholic diocese to assist at St. Bridget's, Ullestad said. The synod's greatest concerns are keeping families together, providing for their needs and making sure children are safe, he said.

The synod is developing a list of pastors who speak English and Spanish to assist families, Ullestad said. He asked Lutherans to pray for the people of Postville, and the bishop invited congregations to talk about immigration concerns.

"The ICE raid in Postville is yet another example of the harsh environment of fear that immigrants – documented and undocumented – now face, especially since the collapse of comprehensive immigration reform last summer," said Ralston H. Deffenbaugh, president, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Baltimore. "Our immigration law is badly broken and desperately needs reform."

"Most of those taken into custody are honest, hard-working people just trying to make a living," Deffenbaugh said. "As a result of the raid, families have been torn apart, children have been traumatized, and a diverse community that was once thriving is now in complete upheaval," he said.

The Rev. Kevin A. Massey, acting director, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, said financial gifts to assist families in Postville may be given to ELCA Domestic Disaster Response.

An ELCA "Message on Immigration" is at http://tinyurl.com/5zqkx3, on the ELCA Web site.

ELCA News Service