CAUSA Joins Organizations and Faith Leaders to Commemorate Anniversary of Postville Immigration Raid

Groups call for comprehensive immigration reform of broken system that led to raids.

It's a common site and a common story for working mothers to be ripped apart from their children. File photo

(SALEM, Ore.) - On May 12th, 2008, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested 389 people at Agriprocessors Inc., a kosher meat packing plant, in Postville, Iowa.

At the time, this was the largest raid in the history of the United States, changing the lives of many, in the town and around the nation.

Today immigrant rights, social justice and faith groups in over 20 states across the nation are standing together to commemorate Postville and call for comprehensive immigration reform by donning red ribbons, hosting interfaith prayer vigils and sounding a call for justice.

"The raid we commemorate today may have happened in Postville, but our community has suffered from the same unjust and ineffective policies", said Francisco Lopez, Executive Director of CAUSA.

"This is why we need immigration reform this year. It's time we stand up and call for immigration policies that protect the rights of all workers and stand for the unity of our families."

In 2007, Fresh Del Monte Produce fruit and vegetable processing plant in North Portland was raided by agents from the when the Department of Homeland Security Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

167 immigrant workers were torn from their livelihood and their families. Many were taken to a private prison near Tacoma and deported.

A small number of women who were pregnant or had very young children were put under house arrest. Two years later the families are still struggling to rebuild their lives.