Postville Herald-Leader Newspaper Collection

A collection of newspaper articles written and published by the local Postville Herald-Leader newspaper organization related to the 2008 Postville raid. The Herald-Leader was established in 1892 and provides news coverage for the community of Postville as well as news of Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, and Winneshiek counties.

The Postville Project works to collect, preserve and present the stories and materials related to the community of Postville, Iowa before, during and after the 2008 immigration raid at the Agriprocessors meatpacking plant. Luther College and the University of Northern Iowa organized The Postville Project in an effort to preserve and exhibit the media and stories surrounding the 2008 immigration raid and the memories of the community both before and after that event.

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Letter to the Editor [Rev. Michael S. Mulberry ]

Michael S. Mulberry

Opinion letter from a religious leader from north central Illinois reflecting on the response of the people of Postville to the Agriprocessors raid he saw on a visit. he expresses gratitude on how they supported those impacted by the raid while the town is going through the aftershocks of the raid.
Agriprocessors filed Chapter 11, Many employees leave Postville

Reporting on the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Agriprocessors and the impact the filing had on former employees.
Agriprocessors is assessed fines totaling nearly ten million dollars

Reporting on the continuing repercussions of the immigration raid at Agriprocessors, including the fines assessed to the company by the state of Iowa, the arrest of Sholom Rubashkin on charges of employing undocumented workers, the entrance of a guilty plea by a human resources employee, the awarding of oversight to a company to make sure assets are maintained until the court case is settled, and the shut down of other kosher meat packing plants in the Midwest.
All saints service to be held at St. Paul Lutheran

Reporting on the 24th joint All Saints Service for the Lutheran and Roman Catholic congregations of northeast Iowa held at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville. Reporting includes the information that Father Paul Ouderkirk would lead the service, who is a leader in the response to the raid on the Agriprocessors plant.
Bail denied for Rubashkin for second time

Reporting on the rejection of a second request for bail by Sholom Rubashkin, with the government believing that he was a flight risk.
Bankruptcy trustee is unable to answer displaced workers' questions

Reporting on a meeting held by the bankruptcy trustee for Agriprocessors with displaced workers to attempt to answer their questions about receiving pay owed to them for work done and other concerns. Also includes reporting on the visit by Lt. Governor Patty Judge to hear the concerns of the workers and to announce some efforts by the state of Iowa to assist those impacted by the closure.
City Council declares disaster emergency in city of Postville

Reporting of the regularly scheduled November 24, 2008 Postville City Council meeting in which the Council adopted a resolution declaring an emergency disaster in Postville. The complete declaration is included.
Community, Allamakee emergency management, religious leaders, more rally to help those in need

Reporting on the needs of those no longer receiving income due to the closing of the Agriprocessors plant and how people could help. Also includes reporting on when paychecks could be issued for time worked, the rumors arising about various aspects of the closure, and the forming of a coalition of local organizations to put together needed resources.
Donations welcome for those affected by the closing of Agriprocessors, Inc.

Reporting on the ways people can donate to help those without an income with the closing of the Agriprocessors plant.
Hundreds of residents enjoy soup supper; Toy give-away during hometown of hope event

Reporting on the community soup dinner that served as the kick-off for the Hometown of Hope Campaign in the wake of the Agriprocessors raid.
Managerial employees are arrested last week at Agriprocessors, Inc.

Reporting on the arrest of Juan Carlos Guerrero-Espinoza and Martin De La Rosa-Loera and the search for Hosam Amara, all accused of encouraging undocumented workers to work at the Agriprocessors plant and, in some cases, assisting them in obtaining false documents.
Marchers walk for immigration reform during Sunday's rally

Reporting on the ecumenical service and protest march held in July 2008 in Postville, Iowa to call for immigration reform.
More charges are filed against Agriprocessors

Reporting on further charges against Agriprocessors for nonpayment to livestock and poultry sellers. Also reporting that some Agriprocessors trucks had been repossessed, some with personal items of the drivers still in the truck. Also that health insurance claims and workers have not been paid and there are kosher food shortages in the area.
Officials from Harkin's office visit with displaced workers

Reporting on the visit by Senator Tom Harkin's staff to hear about the impact the Agriprocessors raid and bankruptcy has had on Postville. Also included are the plea by Karina Freund on her trial in Cedar Rapids, updates on the trials for Sholom Rubashkin and Brent Beebe, and the potential of Postville owing $4 million to the USDA if Agriprocessors folds due to an agreement on the wastewater treatment facility.
Palauans facing many challenges after 'American dream' becomes nightmare

Reporting on the experiences of workers from Palau recruited to work at the Agriprocessors plant after the immigration raid.
PETA files complaint with U.S. Department of Agriculture

Reporting on a complaint filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals alleging that Agriprocessors was using an inhumane method to kill cattle.
Postville begins the healing process following last week's immigration raid

Reporting on the impact of the raid on the Agriprocessors plant had on the town of Postville. Also reporting on the ways the area was working to support those impacted by the raid.
Postville community response committee focuses on need for mental health services for immigrant families

Reporting on the need for mental health services for the workers affected by the Agriprocessors raid and their children as well as the need to support food banks in the area.
Postville community support provides food for residents in their time of need

Reporting on the increase in donations and increasing demand on the Postville food bank since the Agriprocessors raid,
Postville food pantry needs volunteer help

Reporting on the need for additional volunteers to help with the food bank due to the increased demand after the Agriprocessors raid.
Postville is the 'Hometown of Hope;' Official ribbon campaign launched

Reporting on a campaign to show how many were impacted by the Agriprocessors raid and bankruptcy and on the community dinner where the campaign was launched.
Radio board hears much praise for station manager

Reporting on the board of directors meeting of KPVL Radio where Jeff Abbas gave a report on what he and volunteers did in the aftermath of the Agriprocessors raid to assist those in need.
Regular meeting of the City Council of Postville, Iowa (July 14, 2008)

Reporting on the city council meeting in which the director of the Hispanic Ministry requested that a street be blocked to allow for a rally/walk. An employee of Agriprocessors stated concerns about the rally/walk.
Remembering those who were taken

A photograph of a service of remembrance for those detained in the Agriprocessors raid at St. Bridget's Catholic Church.
Rotary Club of Lacrosse; Quillans donate to local food pantry

Reporting on the donations to the Postville food bank from organizations in LaCrosse and Waukon in response to the increase in demand due to the Agriprocessors raid.
Rubashkin arrested again & held on allegations of federal bank fraud

Reporting on the arrest of Sholom Rubashkin on allegations of diverting funds in violation of loan agreements to deceive banks.
Several hundred arrested in immigration raid here Monday

Reporting on the raid of the Agriprocessors plant in Postville, Iowa.
Special meeting of the City Council of Postville, Iowa (June 17, 2008)

Reporting on the special meeting of the Postville City Council that included a round table discussion on the impact of the Agriprocessors raid with Congressman Tom Latham, state senator Mark Zieman, and representatives from the Allamakee County Emergency Management and the Allamakee County Economic Deveopment offices.
Special meeting of the City Council of Postville, Iowa (May 21, 2008)

Reporting on a special meeting of the Postville City Council on that was a community discussion on the impacts the Agriprocessors raid had on the community. Other topics discussed were immigration reform and the process of becoming a citizen. There was also some standard city business conducted.
Standing room only

Color photograph of a meeting with Lt. Governor Patty Judge and other officials in the wake of the Agriprocessors raid and the resulting bankruptcy of the company.
Supervisor discussing zoning; Hear updates from auditor and emergency management

Reporting on the regular meeting of the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors. The meeting included an update from the Emergency Management Director on the issues stemming from the Agriprocessors plant in Postville and what his office has done to address the problems.
Supt. Strudthoff praises administration, faculty, staff & students for assistance during I. C. E. raid; Board to hire interim superintendent

Reporting on the first Board of Education meeting after the Agriprocessors raid where Superintendent Strudthoff commended all the administration, teachers, staff, and students on how they handled the situation with the raid, making sure all the students impacted would be safe.
Upcoming rally is calling for immigration reform, worker justice, family unity

Reporting on an rally scheduled for July 27, 2008 in Postville, Iowa for immigration reform, an end to immigration raids, and just labor practices.
U.S. Attorney's office files motion to keep former CEO in prison

Reporting on the motion by the U.S. Attorney's Office to deny the release of Sholom Rubashkin, the former CEO of Agriprocessors before the trial.
Volunteers needed to help in office of Hispanic ministry

Reporting on the need for additional volunteers in Hispanic Ministry to serve as interpreters, do child care, transporting people to court and appointments, and tracking the location of those detained.
What's happening in and around Postville... (Peace rally and walk is Sunday)

An announcement for a peace rally and walk that was scheduled for July 27, 2008 in Postville to rally for immigration reform, justice for workers, and family unity, A brief summary of the components of the rally is included.
What's happening in and around Postville... (Service at St. Bridget)

Brief announcement of a prayer service scheduled for June 12, 2008 at St. Bridget Catholic Church to mark the one month anniversary of the Agriprocessors raid. A reading of the names of the detainees is to be part of the service.
Agriprocessors and named employees plead not guilty

Bob Beach

A report on the preliminary hearing regarding alleged violations of child labor laws at the Agriprocessors plant in Postville.
Letter to the Editor [Jayn Brotman]

Jayn Brotman

Opinion letter about the role Jews have taken in humane movements and how the ways Agriprocessors conducted business was against Jewish ethics.
Postville hearings: Justice, lost in translation?

Erik Camayd-Freixas

Reporting by one of the translators brought in for those detained after the Postville raid at the Agriprocessors plant.
Word for word Allamakee County pastor's ponderings Rev. Gary Catterson, Community Presbyterian Church

Gary Catterson

Opinion piece written by Rev. Gary Catterson reflecting on the reactions to the Agriprocessors raid and what the teachings of the Christian church is regarding judging others.
Letter to the Editor [David Cavagnaro]

David Cavagnaro

A letter decrying the treatment of those detained in the Agriprocessors immigration raid and the impact immigrants have on the country.
Guest editorial; Postville's real victims not invited to this party

Todd Dorman

Reprint of a Cedar Rapids Gazette editorial about the impact the fallout of the actions of Sholom Rubashkin and Agriprocessors on the community of Postville. He also comments on the general state of the meatpacking industry and the country's immigration policies.
Letters to the Editor [Carole S. Gauger)]

Carole S. Gauger

Opinion letter expressing concerns about how the animals left at the plant are being treated while Agriprocessors is in bankruptcy.
Letter to the Editor [Richard Gaul and L. Paul Ouderkirk]

Richard Gaul and L. Paul Ouderkirk

A letter to the Postville Herald-Leader commenting on the discovery of falsified personal identification records in the vehicle of employees of Agriprocessors on September 12, 2008.
Letter to the Editor [Cami Hanson]

Cami Hanson

A letter questioning the expense of the Agriprocessors immigration raid given other needs for assistance in the area.
Letter to the Editor [Karen Heins]

Karen Heins

A letter to the Postville Herald-Leader expressing the opinion that those on public assistance should work at the Agriprocessors plant so there wouldn't be a demand for immigrant labor.
Guest editorial; What you sow, Is what you reap

John Kittleson

Editorial written by John Kittleson in November of 2008 on the future of Postville after the Agriprocessors raid.
Letter to the Editor [Herman Lenz] 1

Herman Lenz

A letter to the Postville Herald-Leader stating that the Postville and Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints raids are an indication of the increasing power of the federal government.
Letter to the Editor [Herman Lenz] 2

Herman Lenz

A letter to the Postville Herald-Leader opposing the way the Postville raid was conducted.
Letter to the Editor [Jody Mitchell]

Jody Mitchell

A letter to the Postville Herald-Leader comparing the treatment of those impacted by the Postville raid with the experiences of those impacted by the 2008 flood in Cedar Rapids.
Letter to the Editor [Becky Monroe]

Becky Monroe

A letter expressing dissatisfaction with the manner in which Postville was depicted in local reporting in the aftermath of the Agriprocessors raid.
Letters to the Editor [Dorothy Paulsen]

Dorothy Paulsen

Opinion that Agriprocessors had let down the town of Postville, the impact on workers of the raid, and that it would be good for Postviille to have the plant open under new management.
Ag files Child Labor Law violations

Postville Herald-Leader

A brief news article on the allegations of child labor law violations filed against Agriprocessors in 2008.
A gift from afar

Postville Herald-Leader

A photograph and short news story on the donations to the Postville Food Pantry from Ohio in the aftermath of the Postville Immigration Raid.
City Council meets to discuss impact of raid

Postville Herald-Leader

A report on the special session of the Postville City Council addressing the impact of the immigration raid on the community.
Community foundation assists Postville families

Postville Herald-Leader

Reporting on the donation made by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque to assist families and children impacted by the Agriprocessors immigration raid.
Congressman Latham and staff meet with govt. officials, others during "Disaster Tour"

Postville Herald-Leader

Reporting on Tom Latham's and Lois Clark's visit to Postville to hear about the impact of the Agriprocessors immigration raid, the need for a new wastewater treatment plant for Postville, and the aftermath of flooding in Allamakee County.
Discussion held on new hires at Agriprocessors

Postville Herald-Leader

Reporting on concerns regarding the people brought to Postville by a hiring agency to replace the workers detained in the immigration raid.
Diversity Council releases statement

Postville Herald-Leader

Reporting on the Postville Diversity Council's statement on the need for immigration reform.
Diversity Council update on aftermath of raid

Postville Herald-Leader

Reporting on the impact on local charities from the Agriprocessors immigration raid
ELCA makes donation following ICE raid

Postville Herald-Leader

Reporting on the donation by the Evangelical Lutheran Church In America's domestic hunger grants program to the relief effort after the Agriprocessors immigration raid
Faith leaders speak out on poor treatment of workers

Postville Herald-Leader

Reporting on the reaction of various religious leaders to the treatment of immigrant workers in eastern Iowa and their calls for immigration reform.
HR employees enter not guilty pleas

Postville Herald-Leader

Reporting on the human resource employees of Agriprocessors filing not guilty pleas on aiding and abetting aggravated identity theft.
Illegal immigrants freed after testifying against plant manager; Pair remain under house arrest

Postville Herald-Leader

Reporting that two of the people detained in the Agriprocessors raid were released on house arrest after testifying against Juan Carlos Guerrero-Espinoza.
Immigrants meet with U.S. Congressmen Saturday

Postville Herald-Leader

Reporting on the meeting of three members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus with immigrants impacted by the Agriprocessors raid.
Iowa Division of Labor proposes citations and penalties against Agriprocessors, Inc.

Postville Herald-Leader

Reporting on citations issued to the Agriprocessors plant by the Iowa Division of Labor Services for state workplace safety standards violations.
Lessons learned from Agriprocessors raid shared; Immigration reform needed

Postville Herald-Leader

Reporting on a press conference held by faith and labor leaders on the need for immigration reform and the impact of the Agriprocessors raid.
Letter to the Editor [Lewis Regenstein]

Lewis Regenstein

Opinion letter from the president of the Interfaith Council for the Protection of Animals and Nature clarifying the way animals are to be treated under Jewish law and how Agriprocessors appeared to have not followed the law.
Many doses of kindness; A northeast Iowa Christmas story

Liz Rog

An account of seeking medical care for an immigrant woman with a bad headache after the Postville raid.
Letter to the Editor [Dale Siems]

Dale Siems

A letter citing statistics on the benefits and costs of illegal immigration and suggesting a program like the Bracero guest worker program be put in place.
Launa Rambler

Christopher Staley

Slice of life reporting from Luana, Iowa, a small town in Clayton County. This column includes some local reaction to the Postville immigration raid.
Letter to the Editor [Amy Tamar Dickel]

Amy Tamar Dickel

Letter concerning the generosity of local businesses in the immediate aftermath of the Agriprocessors raid.
Jacobson Staffing helping Agriprocessors replace workers taken in May ICE raid

Mike Van Sickle and Jerry Blue

Reprinting the reporting that the Jacobson Staffing Company is working with Agriprocessors to hire workers to take the place of the workers detained in the immigration raid.
Letter to the Editor [Rachel Vega and Zulema Medina]

Rachel Vega and Zulema Medina

A letter to the Postville Herald-Leader recounting how individuals were hired and fired on the same day and blacklisted after returning to the placement agency.
Guest editorial; Railroading immigrants

Kathleen Walker

Editorial written by the past president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association on the way the legal proceedings against those detained in the Agriprocessors raid were handled.
Letter to the Editor [K. Weston]

K. Weston

Opinion letter listing the local businesses owed money by Agriprocessors and the amounts owed to them and what impact that has on the local economy.
Letter to the Editor [K. Weston]

K. Weston

A letter to the Postville Herald-Leader stating that those in charge of the Agriprocessors plant in Postville should be held accountable for the conditions in the plant. The letter also commends those involved in organizing the interfaith prayer service held on July 27, 2008.
Letter to the Editor [Ken Weston] 1

Ken Weston

A letter to the Postville Herald-Leader expressing concern for the impact the Agriprocessors raid had on the community of Postville and those impacted by the raid. The letter also gives information on some services being provided to those impacted and lists some needs for the food banks.
Letter to the Editor [Ken Weston] 2

Ken Weston

A letter to the Postville Herald-Leader expressing the belief that the management of the Agriprocessors plant should face stricter punishments for safety and other workplace violations.The letter also thanks those who have assisted those impacted by the raid and expresses hope for immigration reform.
Letter to the Editor [Ken Weston] 3

Ken Weston

A letter to the Postville Herald-Leader expressing skepticism on the promise by Agriprocessors management to be better employers. The letter also encourages people to take part in an upcoming peaceful protest.

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