Update: Up to 700 arrests estimated in Postville raid

ICE agents entered a Postville plant to execute a criminal search warrant for evidence relating to aggravated identity theft, fraudulent use of Social Security numbers and other crimes, said Tim Counts, a Midwest ICE spokesman. Agents are also executing a civil search warrant for people illegally in the United States, he said.

Earlier this morning, a helicopter hovered over the scene, and a number of agents formed a perimeter around the Agriprocessors facility. Vehicles from ICE and at least eight cars and vans from the Iowa State Patrol were at the plant. There were also reports of two moving vans at the scene, along with an ambulance and two black Chevrolet Suburbans.

Counts declined to confirm where people who are arrested will be detained. Federal officials have leased the National Cattle Congress fairgrounds in Waterloo, but they declined to explain last week whether the property was being prepared for use as a detention center.

Aides to Braley, a Waterloo Democrat, said they have been told that “hundreds” of arrests are expected because the action is more of an “investigation” than an immigration raid, and specific individuals are being targeted for arrest as part of the investigation.

[Gomez-Mehta]

bump

[1SexyRepublican]

After working all night at my legal job, where I pay taxes and have a legit social security number, this is what I like to see. Finally the government is cracking down on these common criminals. These illegals are no better than the thugs that are in the news daily.

Time for deportation. Time for the citizens of America to stand up and say we are not going to tolerate this kind of criminal activity.

What a beautiful day!

[Vettegirl]

Good Job!! Now go to Ottumwa and clean them up down there. That town is FULL of them!

[lulu]

now they should check at ashley furniture arcadia wi send them all back to mex and fine these co. mil.

[lulu]

be polite i was

[Look Around U]

They should have shut this plant down and put the CEO and managers in jail until this investigation is over. The CEO should be liable for all expenses occured. It's time for these companies to pay for their criminal activies not the government. We have a system in place for immigrates to seek work and that's through the government laws. I'm glad ICE is weeding out the illegals in OUR FOOD CHAIN. When a person dies from tainted food and the Company has a recall of that product, the CEO and managers should be liable for that death too.

[Cricket 23]

"The raid targeted people who illegally used other people's Social Security numbers and were in the U.S. illegally.

According to an affidavit,“Based on information thus far developed in the investigation, it appears, based on 2007 fourth quarter payroll reports, that approximately 76 percent of the 968 employees of Agriprocessors were using false or fraudulent social security numbers in connection with their employment.”

Comment:

OK,where are all the pro-illegal alien comments?

[Etc]

They paid the workers 5.00 an hour, paving the way for the more lucrative methamphetimine trade to flourish.

No wonder they'll work for 5.00 an hour, it's a great way to create a network for new customers of the meth trade.

The 5.00 an hour job is also just a front for the drug dealers and an easy way to distribute it throughout the area.

[NE Red]

Etc wrote:

They paid the workers 5.00 an hour, paving the way for the more lucrative methamphetimine trade to flourish.
No wonder they'll work for 5.00 an hour, it's a great way to create a network for new customers of the meth trade.
The 5.00 an hour job is also just a front for the drug dealers and an easy way to distribute it throughout the area.

Oh come on now!$5.00/hour is a living wage, per pro-amnesty groups. Why for $200.00 a week, minus withholding(s) one can feed a family, pay daycare, pay rent, buy fuel, insure a vehicle, pay your child's lunch at school, save for the future, etc etc etc. This is just the tip of the iceburg and Iowa is full of this!

[NE Red]

Cricket 23 wrote:

"The raid targeted people who illegally used other people's Social Security numbers and were in the U.S. illegally.
According to an affidavit,“Based on information thus far developed in the investigation, it appears, based on 2007 fourth quarter payroll reports, that approximately 76 percent of the 968 employees of Agriprocessors were using false or fraudulent social security numbers in connection with their employment.”
Comment:
OK,where are all the pro-illegal alien comments?

After reviewing the criminal complaint and indictment of the owner of American Clothing in Council Bluffs, IA last month, people just have to let the law work. It takes time for the indictments. I noticed on Lou Dobbs' short report on Agriprocessors last night, he asked what about the employers? I watch Dobbs every night, but their report on this one was unbelievable. Surely Dobbs has researchers? We;ll just have to keep checking the owners' names for the criminal complaint!

[Vettegirl]

I want to know how the kids got into the school system. Don't you need some kind of identification for that?? I suppose they stole one.

[Etc]

Vettegirl wrote:

I want to know how the kids got into the school system. Don't you need some kind of identification for that?? I suppose they stole one.

Don't be so sure that they're "kids" who are enrolled.

There is a documented case where a 21 year old was enrolled at the Junior High school as a 15 year old. Later he was killed in a car crash along with his 22 year old illegal buddy as a result of alcohol & cocaine abuse.

Makes you wonder WHO the school system is allowing in our children's classroom.

Not to mention the fact that illegals love those underage girls.......

[Packers Rule]

Vettegirl wrote:

I want to know how the kids got into the school system. Don't you need some kind of identification for that?? I suppose they stole one.

All children are entitled to an education no matter what the situation I am told. There was alot of ID fraud going on and Agri knew this. The people that run Agri and not very honest, fair or American either. They are crooks. Believe me, I know people that used to work there and it is hideous. They need to deport all the illegal workers and the owners as well. Let them go and corrupt their own countries.

[NE Red]

I forgot to mention......You can make $5.00 and hour and send some home......Perhaps we all need to attend economics classes, taught by illegals?

[Tori]

They actually get paid a lot better then you think! No one else wants to do that kind of work, why not let them!

[Tori]

NO kinding they like the under girls! There was at least 2 girls in the 10th grade this year who already had a kid with a hispanic!

[Packers Rule]

Tori wrote:

They actually get paid a lot better then you think! No one else wants to do that kind of work, why not let them!

That is the problem with the mentality of some people. They think this kind of work is beneath them. If I did not have a job and needed money to eat I would think that any job is better than no job. We have become a society that believes we are owed everything. Some believe that they don't have to work-that Uncle Sam will and should take care of them. These illegals will work for less money and so they employer does not have to pay the legal minimum wage. Don't let the company owners and CEOs fool you-they get huge salaries and raises and bonus checks while the employees take home nothing.

[Etc]

Tori wrote:

NO kinding they like the under girls! There was at least 2 girls in the 10th grade this year who already had a kid with a hispanic!

All I can say is that I pity the parents of those girls.....what an embarrassment!

[crossthreaded wingnut]

I'd like to greet them too, with my shiny white moon. There's my compassion.

[msinvisible2u]

I am so Happy To Hear This! I have a BIG SMILE ON MY FACE!!!!!! I Pray for this. And Yes God is Great!This problem of the illegal being in our country is the get away with Too Much Crime,And it has Grown to the limit!!!!!! This is so important to Get All The illegal ,IT IS ILLEGAL??? I love everyone. But I want to save my country that I obey..And we all should, to make this work. MURDERS RAPES STEALING DRUGS ILLEGAL VOTES?????? Is The Name of their game? Has to end. GOOD JOB WELL DONE Let's work on Spring Cleaning....AND GET THEM ALL... THey are here in Addision illinois Dupage county,,,,,,,,,, And They own Round lake area,,, In Lake county Illinois Not Fair!?