Governor Culver Statement on I.C.E. Activity in Postville

Courtesy Iowa Governor's Office

Iowa Governor Chet Culver gives his Condition of the State of Iowa address to a joint session of the 82nd General Assembly Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008 at the State Capitol in Des Moines. (Photo by The Gazette/Brian Ray)

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: May 12, 2008 at 3:32 PM CST

Story Updated: May 12, 2008 at 3:32 PM CST

DES MOINES – Below is a statement from Governor Chet Culver on the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity today at Agriprocessors, Inc. in Postville:

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR CHET CULVER:

My office was informed last week there would be an impending federal exercise in the Waterloo area. I was briefed via telephone this morning at about 10:15 am by the U.S. Attorney for Northern District, as the exercise was happening.

The state’s role in today’s exercise has been limited. The Department of Public Safety is providing traffic support on the scene, and if additional criminal activity is discovered through the course of the exercise, the DCI is prepared to investigate at the state level.

I believe it is important that we crack down on illegal immigration. Illegal means illegal. Not just those who cross the border, but also those who are responsible for helping make it happen -- traffickers, identity thieves, those who knowingly hire illegal immigrants, and anyone who has taken advantage of employees or turned a blind eye. At the same time we must take care to protect due process, and consider the impact on a small community and the people involved.

My Administration has made clear to the federal government the importance of ensuring the humanitarian side of this exercise is addressed in the community, and I have received assurances from the federal government that they are doing so.

I have also directed relevant state agencies to convene a working group under the Lt. Governor’s direction to ensure that state agencies are assisting the community in dealing with this event. This group will include representatives from Iowa Workforce Development, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Human Rights, the Department of Education, the Department of Public Health, and the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. Working group members have met this afternoon with the Lt. Governor to get briefed on this and begin working through their agencies to assist the community.

While this is a federal exercise, my office will continue to keep the public and press informed of any additional state involvement.

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