Immigration Raid Halts Production at Omaha Food Packaging Company

James Rohwer, the owner of an Omaha food packaging company, has voiced his frustration following a federal immigration raid on his plant that resulted in the detention of nearly half of his workforce. Rohwer insists that his company has consistently adhered to the rules for hiring immigrants, utilizing the E-Verify system to verify the eligibility of new hires. However, federal officials suggest that the company may have been deceived by individuals using stolen identities or fake IDs to bypass the system.

The raid, which took place on Tuesday, has left the company grappling with operational challenges. Rohwer has stated that the abrupt loss of workers has severely affected the company's ability to fulfill orders and meet production demands. He has also expressed apprehension about the future of his business, as further disruptions may occur if additional workers are found to be undocumented.

The incident has ignited protests and calls for reform from immigration advocates, who contend that the current system is flawed and often targets hardworking immigrants rather than addressing the underlying issues of undocumented immigration. Rohwer has aligned with these advocates, urging lawmakers to enact more effective and humane immigration policies that would enable businesses to hire workers legally and without the fear of sudden disruptions.