ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 21, 2008  

Lutheran Leaders Express Concern over Impact of Immigration Raids
08-069-MRC

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Steven L. Ullestad, bishop,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Northeastern
Iowa Synod, Waverly, and Ralston H. Deffenbaugh Jr., president,
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Baltimore, expressed
concern about the impact of immigration enforcement raids on
children and families in a May 20 statement submitted to the
U.S. Congress and entered into the Congressional Record.
     The statement is in response to the May 12 federal
immigration raid at a meat processing plant in Postville,
Iowa, where federal agents arrested more than 310 men and
76 women working at the plant.  "Adults were immediately
separated from their children and families," said the statement.
Ullestad and Deffenbaugh called the raid "the largest of its
kind in U.S. history."
     Ullestad and Deffenbaugh urged Congress to "exercise
rigorous oversight of workplace raids" to ensure that while
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement addresses concerns
of national security it mitigates the sociological and economic
impact and emotional trauma on a community; communicates and
works closely with community social services and pastoral care
workers to mitigate trauma among children, families and
communities; facilitates access to legal counsel; does not
transfer people out of the area but releases them from custody
to attend hearings outside of detention; and develops
communication mechanisms that allow family members and lawyers
to locate those in detention.
     "The impact on Postville underscores the need for
comprehensive reform of immigration policy.  The immigration
law needs to protect children and unite families, safeguard
human rights and worker rights, enable marginalized undocumented
people to come out of the shadows and to live without fear, and
provide a path to permanence for those who have put down roots,"
the statement said.
     According to the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding
bishop, the "impact of the immigration raid on Postville's
community is similar to what would have happened if the town
had been hit by a natural disaster.  As a result of the raid,
families have been separated, children are traumatized and a
once thriving community is devastated."
     "Our immigration law is badly broken and in desperate need
of reform," said Hanson.
     In response to the "acute emotional needs" of the Postville
community, the ELCA is using its domestic disaster response
mechanisms to meet the needs of the community, said the Rev.
Kevin A. Massey, director, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response.
     Massey traveled to Postville to meet with local Lutheran
pastors and others from the community May 19-20.  Calling the
situation in Postville a "tragedy," Massey said the community
"has been deeply traumatized.  Religious leaders are working
together there, and all are under tremendous stress as they seek
to serve the needs of the community."
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Note: Financial gifts may be sent directly to ELCA Domestic
Disaster Response, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, Ill. 60694-1764.
Designate gifts for Postville.
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
Credit card gifts via Internet: http://www.ELCA.org/disaster

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