Hundreds of people have sought refuge at the St. Bridget's Catholic Church on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, in Postville from Monday's immigration raid at Agriprocessors. (Photo by Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Agriprocessors Workers Unsure of How to get Paid
By
Becky Ogann
Story Created:
May 16, 2008 at 5:21 PM CDT
Story Updated:
May 16, 2008 at 6:54 PM CDT
POSTVILLE - There is a feeling of uneasiness at St. Bridget's Church in Postville as workers wait to hear how or if they'll get their Friday paychecks.
Federal agents arrested 389 suspected illegal immigrants at the Postville meat packing plant on Monday. 306 of them now face criminal charges. Since then many of their family members and others have taken refuge at the Catholic church in Postville.
They are waiting in the church as lawyers from the Archdiocese of Dubuque and lawyers from the Agriprocessors plant try to work out a solution.
On Friday afternoon, the president of Agriprocessors plant walked up to the front lawn of the church, hundreds of workers literally swarmed him. He wanted them to come to the plant to pick up their checks.
The workers said no from fear of federal agents being there to pick them up. Workers wanted the checks brought to the church. The president said that's against protocol and the Department of Labor.
The plant emphasizes they have to mail the checks. And so that's where we are now, the legal departments from both the plant and Archdiocese are working out a solution, one that mind involve sending all the checks to the same P.O. box.
; "Click for Pinpoint Doppler Radar")
Monday, May 19 at 9:54 PM Even more annoyed wrote ...
So all you in favor of letting the illegals stay and work with stolen SS# think that all of us that think laws should be obeyed are on welfare? Well, now who's judging? Most of us who think they should go home because they are here illegally are hard working people who are in favor of following laws!
Flag for moderationSunday, May 18 at 10:38 PM Don't Fool Yourself wrote ...
The small amounts these illegals paid in taxes don't even come close to the financial burden they put on the local, state, and federal entitlement systems. You pro-illegal activists REALLY need to find a new excuse for defending these people.
Flag for moderationSunday, May 18 at 12:15 AM WOW wrote ...
many disgusting comments - if I may say so! And if you specifically state in the rules and regulations (below) that the comments are not to "attack a persons' inegrity or moral charachter, expose a person to public hatred, contempt or ridicule, etc." why do you post these comments? And yes, even if they are mexican, and even if they are not citizens, THEY ARE POEPLE!
Flag for moderationSaturday, May 17 at 10:13 PM Former INS... wrote ...
They do pay taxes unless they are working for cash. Problem is that they came a lot of deductions so they pay less. They will count children that they don't have or people who depend on them that are living in Mexico. They don't make enough money to get the attention of the IRS, if they do, they just change their names and write "moved" on the letter from the government. I look at it this way, they earned the money they deserve it, better than allowing the Company to keep it.
Flag for moderationSaturday, May 17 at 8:22 PM to 9:22 AM Peter from Shawn wrote ...
yeah see that would be a great argument if it wasnt for the fact that they wouldnt give us the jobs cuz they would actually have to pay us decent wages and they get the labor cheaper using those illegals! What I dont understand is why all you bleeding heart cry babies out there dont put more energy into help US citizens and your state instead of these illegal dogs who are sucking our state dry and ruining our jobs and our towns and disobeying our laws!
Flag for moderationSaturday, May 17 at 5:54 PM Me wrote ...
Didn't they come by the money illegally? I mean if they aren't supposed to work here then usually the court decides what happens to the money, and why wasn't the president of the company arrested? He knew about them hiring all the illegals. Those people will be punished for coming and working and doing what most of us do everyday, the people who should reall be arrested are the heads of the company, they knew full well what they were doing, but they will only get a "no-no" and a finger shake.
Flag for moderationSaturday, May 17 at 4:18 PM Concerned person wrote ...
I think that we all need to remember that even though they are hispanic, they are still humans. what happened to compassion for others. Can you really blame them for wanting a better life for themselves and their families. Just because a few have caused problems doesn't mean that they are all bad. Every race has bad people. Churches are sactuaries and these people have a right to turn to them for help.
Flag for moderationSaturday, May 17 at 3:21 PM Peter Hansen wrote ...
I think it's really funny how most people are very upset at the illegal immigrants instead of Agriprocessors. They are human traffickers that recruit and exploit these folks. I'm sure they're very happy that they won't have to pay them for the last few weeks of their work. They're the ones that are taking your jobs away, not the illegal aliens. And they are laughing all the way to the bank! Wake up! Your enemies are not these poor, uneducated folks, they are the rich businessmen.
Flag for moderationSaturday, May 17 at 2:38 PM SILVER wrote ...
modern day SLAVES
Flag for moderationSaturday, May 17 at 1:12 PM anonymous wrote ...
They do pay taxes so people who say they dont need to get their facts straight. I've seen check stubs.
Flag for moderationSaturday, May 17 at 12:19 PM Attention Illegals wrote ...
As soon as you get paid, be sure to reimburse the rest of us for footing the bill for your kids' school, your welfare benefits, the cost of deporting you, etc. What about OUR rights as taxpayers??? Wise up!
Flag for moderationSaturday, May 17 at 9:36 AM Tabby wrote ...
I agree with lame game at least they were working and not just living off the system. I wonder what it would cost us to let them stay and get citizenship versus sending them back? With the economy so bad maybe its something we ought to think about. I am not saying its right for them to be here illegally but they have proved themselves they are willing to work :(..They are probably sending money home to help out families overseas also.
Flag for moderationSaturday, May 17 at 9:22 AM Peter wrote ...
To all of you who are harping about the illegal aliens I have a question for you. How come you aren't working at the slaughter house at Postville and doing all of the hard dirty work that those people were doing?? How many of you are ready to get off of your soap boxes and start working some of the crappy , low paying jobs that the illegals are doing instead of sitting around claiming you can't find work?
Flag for moderationSaturday, May 17 at 7:10 AM Barb wrote ...
Providing a better life for your family is not an excuse to be illegally. I believe more than half the world lives in poverty. Are we going to let EVERYONE in? Also, when an American commits a crime their kids suffer for it and I don't see anyone jumping up and down defending the American kids' rights. If the illegal's kids suffer because of deportation that's their parents' fault, not the people who are trying to enforce the law.
Flag for moderationSaturday, May 17 at 6:55 AM Central Iowa Man wrote ...
Anyone here familiar with NAFTA? I am sure we are all. A lot of AMERICAN industry is heading South of the border. This I am sure is a fact. And why is this happening? Because OUR American businesses can set up a plant in Mexico and guess what? Pay them 5-6 bucks an hour for their time. What happened to the United States of America? Too many liberals wanting to cater to ILLEGAL PEOPLE! I don't care where they came from. ILLEGAL IS ILLEGAL but yet we need to help them, change our laws to conform?
Flag for moderationSaturday, May 17 at 6:06 AM Anonymous wrote ...
simple confiscate it or return the check to the SSN's real owner. It would be only fair considering they are the ones paying the taxes for it.
Flag for moderationSaturday, May 17 at 2:17 AM fat and working wrote ...
This is not the illegals fault. It's not a secret they are here and can get work and houses and cars. Any egg plant you will find mostley illegals. I can list 5 companies in Iowa that have illegal workers. Not like a couple I mean the majority of the workers.
Flag for moderationSaturday, May 17 at 12:40 AM Get a clue wrote ...
"Is murder and bank robbing on the same scale as this?" So sending them home were is how we treat murders? PLEASE! Sorry to burst your bubble, but illegal's American born citizen children collect welfare. It cost more to school illegal alien's children than it done to school our own, $7,000 plus. On the $6 bucks an hour they make you can bet they aren't paying any taxes.
Flag for moderationSaturday, May 17 at 12:31 AM Jody wrote ...
anyone who would like to be informed on the Federal Immigration law and the penalties and defintions of harboring and hiring go to: www.bluelineradio.com/hiringharboring.html this is very interesting, maybe the catholic church should read the LAW and the penalty. If anyone chooses let me know what you think.
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 11:44 PM jody wrote ...
poohnettie: you are wrong, they do collect food stamps, and everything else. they were given ebt cards and checks at the church by the dhs. they do not pay taxes. were are you from, they used fake or stolen SSN, how you going to pay taxes with that, read the affadavit and you will see the company withheld taxes BUT deposited them into a slush fund account at a bank. They knew they were fake or stolen. You really need to get informed before you speak. i am sure they are looking for a new ss #
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 11:42 PM to Poohnettie wrote ...
Oh yes they do use food stamp cards! Ive seen it at Moores IGA! They sign up with the fake SS#s they are using at Agri!! How else do you think they get Apartments and WIC and so on?? Using the fake SS#s!
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 10:48 PM 5th generation american wrote ...
my ancestors came here with nothing- no one taught thier kids english- gave them welfare-health care nothing- but the did everything legal- .These so called hard working illegals new they where doing something wrong.Why else hide under equiptment-in churches like cowards.50 poeple living in houses ment for 4 to 6.Healthy ,sanitary? We hard working americans struggle to provide for our families- when all the jobs go to ilegals who will work for 4 to 5 dollors an hour?7.25 is the minumum!
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 10:44 PM poohnettie wrote ...
I wish back in the day of your ancestors they would have shipped them back to where they came from and then we would not have such IGNORANT people leaving comments.People often wonder where their hard earned tax dollars are going, well it is not to the immigrants because they don't get Food Stamps, FIP, etc. like some of the white trash in Postville does just for sitting on their lazy rears. They had tazes deducted from their paychecks just like you and I.
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 10:35 PM To 8:50 PM larry from Shawn wrote ...
YOu know what I broke laws, I been nailed for speedning I shoplifted. I knew the risks, and when I got caught I had to pay the piper. I didnt have any of you bleeding hearts trying to help me when I was trying to better myself illegaly. These dogs are no different then any one else who breaks the law and gets caught. they knew the risk and got busted so they need to do the time and pay for their crime! they dont deserve their pay as they were illegally here. I say take all their money away!
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 10:32 PM Now I've heard EVERYTHING wrote ...
These people have the gall to want they're paychecks even as they hide from ICE in a church??? This is unbelievable. What's next?
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 10:10 PM nad wrote ...
They got the ball rolling why stop now it is about time.
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 9:49 PM Doug wrote ...
they dont deserve them checks ,they broke the law.they are illegals, round them up and deport them.and go after the company.plus well there at it go after the church which is also breaking the law by haveing them there.I think its time the church stays out of this .period.
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 9:47 PM Larre wrote ...
The media is not picking up on the fact that this Kosher slaughter house is abusing underage illegal Mexicans and running an methamphetamine lab to boot as an added benifit. I hope that Congressman Bruce Braley succeeds in his effort to prosecute these criminals who run this plant and sends all of these illegals back to Mexico.
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 9:43 PM D wrote ...
Illegals do not respect the USA and our laws, if they did they would go through the proper channels to come here legally. We, the people of the USA don't respect ourselves or we would make sure that our laws are inforced. It's time to take back our rights and although it's sad, they need to be sent back to where they came from, with their children and if they want to be in the USA to live and work, they need to become legal. Does the USA have a quota on the number of immigrants each year?
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 9:36 PM Agree with most of this wrote ...
I completely agree with "annoyed" and most of the other people on here!!! We are heartless and cruel. We may be fat white people, but we also belong to this country and have the right to be that way!!! We are all legal citizens and if they can't take the time to become one, than they need to go back to whatever country they fled from!!!!!!!!
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 9:34 PM ........ wrote ...
like nichole said....you are all heartless....before you write a comment on this wall......why dont you put yourself in their shoes...why dont you go live in their country and then write back...heartless people..
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 8:50 PM larry wrote ...
Too much ignorance here! You people are cold and heartless. Is murder and bank robbing on the same scale as this? If you can be so perfect and honestly say you never broke a law, then talk. DO NOT chastise these people! If you knew them and worked with them you would think differently. Think of the bottom feeders that will replace the hard working illegals. Who will be whining then? The whole town of Postville! thats who. Take your ignorance elsewhere.
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 8:36 PM tracey wrote ...
go get your checks and see what happens i hope that ice is waiting there for you you do not deserve them they pay for transporting your friends to waterloo gas is not cheap you know
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 8:13 PM Jody wrote ...
I think by sending them all to one PO box constitutes mail fraud as 300 people can't have the same address. Archdiocese is sticking their nose and spending our money we give to them on things they should stay away from. Where are they going to cash these checks? If they are illegal how can they have a bank account or any ID that is valid? Who and how are they cashing them? Someone wanna answer that? I think the Archdiocese OWES us Catholics an explanation as to why the are doing.
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 7:39 PM Annoyed wrote ...
Hey Nichole, bank robbers just want to provide a better life for their families too. And they might not be bad people either, but I don't need to know them to judge what they do is wrong. Breaking the law is breaking the law. I don't think these are bad people, but they know they are breaking the law!
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 6:54 PM lamegame wrote ...
The "illegal" hispanics are coming to our country and working hard, happy to have a job and money, show up for work every day, do what they are supposed to while lazy fat white American trash lounges at home, collecting welfare checks. Here's an idea-- let's send THEM to Mexico!!
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 6:17 PM blue collar worker wrote ...
Hey ICE go to Whirlpool-Amana and Monsanto-Holden Seed W'burg alot of Mexican's, Asian's and others work at these places and speak more non-english than english, and their hard to understand.
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 6:05 PM nichole wrote ...
You people are heartless and cruel all these people want is to provide a better life for there faimlies. you should know them before you judge them. THEY ARE NOT BAD PEOPLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 5:55 PM Hmmm... wrote ...
Wow why dont these people cry some more WAHH WAHH Go get them if you get arrested good riddance. If your illegal you dont deserve your check anyways I think all unclaimed checks should be turned into a fund towards the costs to prosecute these vermin.
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 5:36 PM Please wrote ...
Donate them to Homeland Security to use for continuing the US border fence project.
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 5:35 PM unbelievable wrote ...
First the ILLEGAL immigrants break the law. Now that they are caught they want someone to cater their paycheck to them. If a drug dealer gets caught dealing drugs, the cops don't give them their "payout", the drugs and money are confiscated and the dealer goes to jail. The same thing should happen here. No paycheck is the cost of breaking the law... They took the gamble and lost. If they want their paycheck they will have to gamble on the chance of getting arrested.
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 5:35 PM Anonymous wrote ...
This makes no sense to me!!
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 5:29 PM BrandonB wrote ...
This is kind of a gray area for me. Sure they don't belong here legally so technically they should not have been working here. But at the same time they did work, so should they get there paychecks at all? What do everyone else think?
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 5:28 PM wow wrote ...
plat reps say its against protocol and they're worried the plant will be fined! WoW. absolute garbage. Where was that kind of talk when the plant was hiring illegals. Actually it was a great idea! cheap labor and we are in business is what they were thinking. Corparate greed is whats wrong here!
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