[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 13, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H5490]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    POSTVILLE RAID ANNIVERSARY AND COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM

  (Mr. BACA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 1-year anniversary of the 
raid at the Agriprocessor plant in Postville, Iowa.
  On May 12, 2008, ICE agents arrested nearly 400 immigrant workers, 
this despite the horrific stories of worker abuse at the plant. This is 
a clear example of the misplaced priorities of the Bush administration, 
who fast-tracked criminal cases against undocumented workers.
  Last year I traveled to Postville and witnessed firsthand the 
deflated spirit of families who were torn apart from their loved ones. 
These raids not only affected the families of the detainees but the 
whole community of Postville, which to this day has not fully 
recovered.
  This is an example of the ugly consequences of enforcement-only 
approaches to immigration reform. We need a real reform that reflects 
America's needs. That's comprehensive immigration reform.
  I urge my colleagues in Congress to learn from the past and work with 
CHC and President Obama to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

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