On Thursday, October 27, the University will host a screening of abUSed: The Postville Raid, a documentary depicting the May 12, 2008 raid on the Agriprocessors plant in Postville, Iowa—the largest, most expensive immigration raid in U.S. history.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) officers arrested 389 undocumented workers, the majority of whom were convicted within four days and quickly deported. The tactics used during the raid drew criticisms from labor unions and humanitarian and legal advocacy organizations that argued I.C.E. had grossly neglected the rule of law, ignored workers’ rights, and violated the Constitution. The documentary reveals the effects of the raid on the small town of Postville, left reeling as the once-diverse community and mixed-status families were suddenly torn apart.
The screening will be held at 7:00pm in room W151 in the Pappajohn Business Building. Award-winning director Luis Argueta will introduce the film and host a Q&A session afterward. The screening is sponsored by the University of Iowa Labor Center, Center for Human Rights, Department of History, School of Social Work, Latin American Studies Program, and League of Women Voters-Johnson County. For more information or to view the theatrical trailer, visit the film’s website at www.abusedthepostvilleraid.com.
