I.C.E. raids Postville meat-packer; United Methodist Bishop responds

From the Des Moines Register:

Postville, Ia. - The phone calls started at 5 a.m. They carried the same message: Immigration was coming.[...] Twelve hours later, Hispanic businesses in downtown Postville were shuttered.[...]

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid at the Agriprocessors Inc. plant scattered the Hispanics of Postville. About 400 found their way to St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, waiting for information. Some filled out G-28 forms that allow a lawyer to represent their detained children or minors in their care.

A woman who would identify herself only as Judy said she and her husband work at Agriprocessors. The last time she saw him was before his shift Monday, about 5:30 a.m. “No, I don’t know where he is,” she said in Spanish.

Judy said she and her husband came from Mexico illegally. Like many others at St. Bridget’s, they regard the church as a haven from law enforcement. Asked whether the church would indeed be a safe place, Sister Mary McCauley of St. Bridget’s said, “That is our belief and hope.” [...]

And from Bishop Palmer of the Iowa United Methodist Church, this rather brave—