ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 15, 2008  

Lutherans Responding to People Affected by Iowa Immigration Raid
08-064-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- 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.

NOTE: Financial gifts may be sent directly to ELCA Domestic
Disaster Response, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631-4101.
Designate gifts for Postville.
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
Credit card gifts via Internet: http://www.ELCA.org/disaster

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
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