Press Release

UPDATED: Gutierrez Leads Members of Congressional Hispanic Caucus to Postville, Iowa
CHC Chairman, Members will meet with former detainees; workers who suffered labor violations; and American citizen children left behind in aftermath of largest-ever ICE raid

July 24, 2008

Media Contact: Rebecca Dreilinger (202) 225-8203
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, DC – Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) today announced details of this Saturday's trip to Postville, Iowa, where he, Chairman Joe Baca (D-CA) and Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) will visit those most impacted by the May 12, 2008 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid of the Agriprocessors meatpacking plant. All meetings will be open to press.

"An immigration system that is predicated on fear tactics and piecemeal, deportation-only policies profoundly worsens our immigration crisis by creating broken homes and tearing the fabric of our society," said Rep. Gutierrez. "We have seen exactly that in Postville, Iowa."

"The Administration may have successfully pandered to anti-immigrant extremists and conservative pundits, but it truly failed nearly 400 hardworking families, who are now left with an impossible daily struggle to feed their children, many of whom are U.S. citizens. Meanwhile, their employers—who are accused of wage and hour violations, child labor and physical and sexual abuse—face no charges." 

 

 

  Who:       Congressman Joe Baca, Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus

                  Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez, Chairman of the CHC Immigration Task Force

                  Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano, CHC Whip

                  Congressman Albio Sires, Chairman of the CHC Task Force on Economic Development

 

  Where:     St. Bridget's Church, 135 W. Williams St. Postville, Iowa 52162

 

  When:      Saturday, July 26, 2008, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

 

   What:       I. Welcome and Introductions

Members meet a 13-year-old U.S. citizen whose parent was detained in the raid,

 

(Cont.)

 

 

 

and two women who have been released with electronic homing devices, or "ankle bracelets." These individuals will also reflect on the experience of their relatives who remain in detention. 

 

II. Community Impact

Members of the local relief team, including the town mayor, school principal, and religious leaders, examine the impact of the raid on the broader Postville community.

 

III. Legal Matters

A review of the legal process that detained workers faced; how much of the process they understood; and what remedies, if any, remain available to them.

 

IV. Labor Matters

A review of the ongoing labor investigation at Agriprocessors and the experiences of individual workers — including minors — who worked for the plant.

 

V. Wrap Up

Postville community members present their requests of Members of Congress. Members of the CHC will provide closing remarks and answer questions for press before a 1:00 pm departure.  

 

In addition to the CHC Members' visit on Saturday, July 26th, activists from across the country will gather in Postville on Sunday, July 27th for an interfaith service, march and rally calling for comprehensive immigration reform, family unification and just labor practices. The rally and march will take place on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

"Instead of tacitly supporting raids on factory workers or janitors or construction workers or maids, this Congress should be working to enact real solutions to our immigration problems," added Gutierrez. "It is my sincere hope that in bringing the stories of the parents, children and workers of Postville back to Congress, our lawmakers will see the very real consequences of punitive actions in the absence of comprehensive immigration reform."

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