More on the Effects of the Postville ICE Raid

ICE raids are not simply about rounding up undocumented workers. These raids have devasting effects on the social and economic fabric of communities. The raids do nothing to address the real problems of U.S. immigration policy–faciliating the flow of immigrants in the age of globalization and the interrelationships between countries–especially those that border each other.

Antonio Olivo reports for the Chicago Tribune:

The spacious new homes and pristine commercial strip that have transformed this northeastern Iowa town are a testament to the success of Agriprocessors Inc., the nation’s largest kosher meatpacking plant and the reason for a thriving local community of Hasidic Jews.

But a federal raid last week that exposed a seemingly tacit agreement between the plant and an illegal-immigrant workforce has residents worrying about the town’s future.

This community fashions itself as a cosmopolitan center amid the plains, where long-bearded rabbis, Latin American immigrants and German Lutherans have learned to live side by side.

But everything has changed after the largest Immigration raid in U.S. history netted nearly 400 workers—including 18 juveniles—at the plant.

“At a time when America is trying to hold on to industries, you know what I see out of this? Kosher chickens coming from China,” fumed Rabbi Aaron Goldsmith, a former city councilman who was among many who stood transfixed as Homeland Security helicopters and buses raced past the grazing cows toward their town a week ago. “These are hardworking families working there. This isn’t a place that required helicopters and guns.” Click here for the rest of the story.

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