Illegal immigrants must pay for their own deportations

The 37 former Agriprocessors illegal workers being deported by the end of this month will have to pay their own way home.

Greg Palmore, public affairs office with Immigration Customs and Enforcement, said those being deported were told several weeks ago, so they would have time to arrange for transportation and wrap up any business they have in the United States.

“We're trying to make the process as humane as possible,” Palmore said. “We care about these individuals.”

Palmore said if they have a hardship and cannot pay their own way home, immigration will consider the issue and remove them from the country if they can't. The immigrants must pay their own way home because they are not in immigration custody, as others were after the raid who were removed a few months later.

Rev. Paul Ouderkirk, of St. Bridget's Catholic Church, said the church has helped the immigrants get their passports and other documents ready to leave the country. Some of the parents had to get certified birth certificates for their children that were born in the United States, so they can attend school back in Mexico and Guatemala.

“Some have secured a way to get back,” Ouderkirk said.

Several Guatemalans picked up their paperwork Wednesday from the immigration office in Cedar Rapids. About 10 immigrants from Mexico received their information on Monday.

Palmore said he couldn't release a total number to be deported or when it would happen because of security reasons.

The 37 were among the nearly 400 who pleaded guilty to charges related to identity theft. Many received probation and agreed to be deported.

Some of were allowed to stay in Iowa because they were designated as material witnesses in criminal trials against former Agriprocessors managers.