(Worthington, Mn.)– The Worthington Swift and Company meat processing plant was among six plants raided by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Tuesday.
The raids were part of a nearly year-long investigation involving identity theft and immigrants who may be in the country illegally. I-C-E officials don’t have a count on arrests yet.
Worthington Public Safety Director Mike Cumiskey says that for most of the people arrested, it was one of the worst days of their lives.
Members of the Worthington immigrant community were worried about relatives and loved ones, and educators expressed concern for children who might be affected. The Worthington school district stands to lose money if it loses students.
About 23-hundred people worked at the Worthington plant, which slaughters and processes about 16-thousand hogs a day.
