Agriprocessors

The highest court in the land has decided to hear the case of Ignacio Carlos Flores-Figueroa, a Mexican citizen who found himself behind bars after he was convicted of “aggravated identity theft.” According to Flores-Figueroa’s lawyers, he made up a Social Security number so he could get a job... Continue »

According to today’s Des Moines Register, the Agriprocessors raid set taxpayers back $5.2 million. “That means it has cost taxpayers an average of $13,396 for each of the 389 illegal immigrants taken into custody.” So let’s do the math, shall we? If it cost $13,396 to arrest each undocumented... Continue »

The bill does not call for an end to immigration raids, although we all know the Administration's raids policy is not going to fix illegal immigration or get the system under control. As Secretary Chertoff's remarks last year betrayed, these raids are more about cowboy politics than effective policy.... Continue »

Today, leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives will hold two important hearings to examine the Bush Administration’s failure to uphold labor standards, and the need for common sense immigration reform. Congresswoman Hilda Solis (D-CA) is also hosting a Congressional briefing to explore the impact of the Agriprocessors... Continue »

Immigration Reform and Protecting All American Workers

All Americans feel the pinch of our broken immigration system. Outdated immigration laws and lax enforcement against employers who hire undocumented immigrants have created a situation where unscrupulous employers can get away with paying... Continue »

Today the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees and International Law will hold a hearing on the government's handling of immigration raids and criminalization of immigrant workers. Below is a statement from Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America's Voice. Continue »

The news that Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA) received contradictory information from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) about coordination prior to the largest immigration worksite raid in American history raises a series of troubling questions. Continue »

Today, Iowa Faith leaders spoke during a telephone press conference on the recent abuse suffered by immigrant workers in the state at the Agriprocessors plant in Postville and in flood recovery efforts in Eastern Iowa. Continue »

An array of faith and labor leaders joined voices today at a telephonic press conference to call for a more sensible immigration policy in this country. Continue »

On Thursday, the House Committee on Homeland Security will hold a hearing with U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff. Congressional leaders should demand answers from Secretary Chertoff to the following questions... Continue »