Activists Worried About Immigration Raid in Waterloo

Marshalltown, Iowa, residents watch near the main gate of the Swift & Company plant during a raid by ICE officers Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006. Federal agents raided meat processing plants in six states Tuesday and arrested an unknown number of suspected illegal immigrants in an identity theft investigation, temporarily suspending operations at all six plants. Photo by Ryan, Brinks/AP.

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: May 12, 2008 at 10:49 AM CST

Story Updated: May 12, 2008 at 10:55 AM CST

WATERLOO (AP) - Immigration rights activists are concerned that the federal government may be planning an immigration raid on workers in Waterloo similar to one carried out in Marshalltown in 2006.

Several activists gathered on Sunday at a Waterloo church and at the home of a local social worker to discuss what they consider to be an impending raid.

Discussions were prompted by an announcement last week that federal officials have leased the National Cattle Congress fairgrounds in Waterloo.

Immigration activists say they fear the fairgrounds is being prepared as a detention center.

Federal officials have refused to comment on whether they're planning an immigration raid.

The activists are discussing strategies for caring for children and identifying detainees after a raid.

Sol Varisco-Santini of Catholic Charities in Des Moines says the stress level is high.

An information session held at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church after a noon mass in Spanish, included several handouts that detail what people should do when confronted by police, and provided contact information for immigration attorneys in Iowa.

In December 2006, immigration officials raided the Swift & Co. meatpacking plant in Marshalltown. Several workers were taken to Camp Dodge in Johnston and held in military barracks.

Tyson Foods Inc. owns a meatpacking plant in Waterloo.

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