Illegal Worker Describes Escape from Plant - Postville, Iowa

St. Bridget Catholic Church is a place for many of Postville’s Hispanic community to to catch their breath… to cry behind closed doors… and for illegal immigrants, like Eduardo Melendez, to hide from the law.

He says, in Spanish, “They grabbed us by the hair and said, ‘Hurry. Walk.’ Other workers were lying on the floor. Many were in handcuffs.”

Somehow, Melendez and his cousin escaped ICE agents during the raid at Agriprocessors. But eight of their family members, including Melendez’ brother, didn’t make it out. He says the church is now his only option.”*

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