05/20/08 - Main Street Project Condemns Postville, Iowa ICE Raid
Calls for enforcement of constitutional and human rights - regardless of immigration status
As an organization committed to giving residents of all ages, cultures, economic and immigration status the opportunity to more fully participate in all aspects of community life, Main Street Project strongly condemns the May 12 Postville, Iowa ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raid and its aftermath.
In the largest single-site enforcement operation in the country nearly 390 hard-working immigrants, already exploited in deplorable working conditions, now find their lives upturned by a massive quasi-military operation. Read Des Moines Register coverage of the Postville raid.
According to the U.S. Constitution, all people residing in the United States, regardless of their immigration status, are entitled to due process of law. The United States is committed to principles of democracy and fairness, yet hundreds of people are being detained - many without access to counsel and without contact with their families. Many are terrified at the possibility of being returned to a home they may no longer know, or where they won't be able to earn a living wage. Because 300 of the detained immigrants are from Guatemala, they face the additional challenge of returning to a country devastated by decades of civil war. The U.S. policy of detaining and deporting people does not address these realities. Read Guatemalan Solidarity Statement (PDF) to learn more.
An injury to one is an injury to all.
We know that raids affect not only the families who were a part of the raid, but the whole community. Join us in a call for transparent, fair and humane treatment for all detainees in accordance with our U.S. constitutional norms of due process and equal protection. We believe that all human beings in this country have a right to be treated with dignity and respect, even in situations of detention and arrest.
Approved May 21, 2008
Main Street Project Board of Directors
What you can do
Donate
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St. Bridget's Hispanic Ministry
Attention: Sister Mary McCauley
P.O Box 369
Postville, IA 52162
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Read related information
Main Street Project: A constructive dialogue about immigration (PDF)