8/06/08

I write to humbly request your assistance for a humanitarian relief effort for the families severely devastated by the largest immigration raid in Postville, Iowa. This effort is being sponsored by New Life Covenant Ministries of Chicago.

Nine hundred federal immigration agents raided Agriprocessors, a meatpacking plant in Postville, on May 12. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) charged 389 Agriprocessors workers (40 percent of the plant’s workforce) with violating civil immigration laws and turned 306 of them over to the U.S. Attorney’s office to face criminal charges for working with false documents, which were allegedly provided to the workers by Agriprocessors plant.

The stories of the families separated and left without support, resources or adequate legal representation illustrates the profound and tragic example of our badly broken immigration system. The current situation in Postville is dire; there are families solely surviving on the generosity of donations given by the local church, St. Bridget’s Catholic Church.

St. Bridget’s Church is strained by the overwhelming demand for food, diapers and toiletries to support these families who would go hungry if it wouldn’t be for the valiant work of this congregation and charitable donations. Because of your advocacy for human rights and social justice, I am asking for your support to replenish the church’s pantry by providing donations to New Life Covenant Ministries for the delivery of humanitarian aid to the distressed families.

Donations needed are food such as rice, beans, cereal and pasta. Toiletries needed are diapers, shampoo, conditioner, soap, baby shampoo/wash and toothpaste. Clothing donationsare also accepted such as new or gently used children and women’s clothing New Life Covenant ministries along with volunteers will deliver and distribute the humanitarian relief from Aug. 8 to 9.

Arrangements can be made to pick up donations. Our office will serve as a drop-off center Aug. 4 to the 7th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Deliver donations no later than Aug. 7. If you need additional information please call my executive assistant, Veronica Ocasio for more information at (773) 342-0774 or e-mail veronica.ocasio@mail.house.gov. Your generosity and support is greatly appreciated.

Luis V. Gutierrez

Member of Congress