Miles away, Postville raid’s impact is still acute

Though they are about 80 miles apart, Hispanic businesses in Waterloo have reported potentially crippling drops in business since the Postville Immigration raid. The largest of its type in U.S. history, the raid at Agriprocessors resulted in the detainment of nearly 400 people on Immigration related charges.

Despite the distance from the raid, Hispanic business owners report workers suddenly absent and slower sales. They attribute it to fall out from Postville.

Garcia has seen this before, he said, and believes now is the time to bow out.

“I’ve seen this happen twice. It always takes at least a year for people to regain trust,” he said. “That’s why I’d rather close — it’s going to take time to recover.” “*

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