Iowa meatpacking plant revokes visas for 200 workers
Share this @internewscast.com


() JBS Foods told 200 workers at its Ottumwa, Iowa, plant that their visas are being revoked and they must leave the U.S., according to the town’s mayor.

The employees are from Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Those countries were under a program that offered temporary legal status for those fleeing violence during the Biden administration.

In May, the Supreme Court allowed President Donald Trump to revoke the temporary legal status of more than 500,000 workers from those countries.

It is not clear if other groups of workers may also have their visas revoked.

Mayor Rick Johnson said he believed JBS was pursuing avenues to keep the workers in Iowa because of their skills. The plant employs about 2,500 workers.

He told the Des Moines Register that the loss would hurt the city’s economy. JBS is the largest employer in the area.

The United Food & Commercial Workers union representing the workers said the decision creates instability, harms local economies and threatens the food supply chain.

JBS is reportedly paying workers $1,000 each to help them self-deport to their home countries.

One of the largest meat processors, JBS also has a plant in Marshalltown, Iowa, and said earlier in the year it plans to build a $135 million sausage processing plant that will employ 500 people in Perry, Iowa.

Iowa is home to several pork and beef processing plants, including facilities run by Tyson Foods, Smithfield Foods and Iowa Premium Beef. The state leads the nation in pork and egg production and also produces large quantities of turkey, beef and milk.

In July, Trump said on a trip to Iowa that he would put farmers in charge of agricultural workers in the country illegally. But Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said there would be no amnesty for workers in agriculture.

Rollins pointed to the Medicaid cuts passed by Congress and said the jobs should be done by automation and American workers.

reached out to JBS for comment and has not yet heard back.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Brights Zoo’s Cold-Weather Animals Thrill in Snowy Conditions

As a winter wonderland descended upon the Tri-Cities, Brights Zoo became a…

Empowering Futures: Historic Black Fraternity Introduces Speed Mentoring to Close Opportunity Gap for Young Men

ORLANDO, Fla. – A pioneering mentorship initiative is being launched by a…

Unforgettable Grammy Highlights: Mars Shines, Carpenter Takes Flight, and Bieber Stuns with Bold Style Choices

When the dust settled, only one person remained seated, visibly astonished and…

House Races Against Time to Resolve Partial Government Shutdown This Week

The House of Representatives is moving swiftly this week to resolve the…

Mayor Criticizes NES Officials for Slow Power Restoration, Asserting “Nashvillians Deserve Better

In a recent statement, Mayor Freddie O’Connell expressed his dissatisfaction with Nashville…

Gasparilla Pirates Face Off Against Strong Winds in Epic Battle

TAMPA, Fla. – This weekend, Tampa’s streets were overrun by swashbuckling pirates,…

Global Markets Tumble: US Futures and Asian Shares Decline as Wall Street Falters and Oil Prices Plunge Over $2

Monday saw a sharp decline in U.S. futures and Asian shares, accompanied…

Kennedy Center Faces Two-Year Closure for Renovations Starting July Amidst Performers’ Criticism, Announces Trump

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump revealed plans to shutter the Kennedy Center,…

Greenland’s Diplomatic Triumph: Navigating US Challenges to Secure Promising Future

In a notable shift from recent tensions, U.S. and European leaders are…

Submit Your Nominations: Celebrate Inspiring Women at YWCA’s Annual Tribute Event

The YWCA of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia is calling for nominations…

Johnson City Crews Swiftly Address Overnight 6-Inch Water Main Break on N Roan Street

In Johnson City, Tennessee, public works teams successfully wrapped up the repair…

Experience Winter Wonderland: Top Sledding Spots for Family Fun in Johnson City

In Johnson City, Tennessee, the frigid Sunday weather didn’t deter locals from…