State Trial Audio – Special Agent Eric Spalding

Before we get back to the testimony of the minor workers lets hear from Special Agent Eric Spalding of  ICE.

Many have asked good questions about the motives of the minors and those who supported them.

Questions such as,”why would these kids lie at this point, especially about things such as injury and abuse at the plant” ? ”Why all the questions about things told to the minors by their lawyer and the Church in Postville”? and others.

Well it turns out, as Special Agent Spalding will tell us, by giving such testimony the minors could be eligible for a “U-Visa”.

A “U-Visa” (as he will describe) is a special Visa issued to victims of certain crimes that are in the country illegally that allows them and all their immediate family (a point the state “forgets” to point out) to live in the US for 4 years. While here they, the applicant as well as the family members can work in the country and can legally apply for permanent status to stay in the country forever.

Due to the nature of the Visa (what it allows once granted) it is a very sought after Visa. The government is very picky about giving such Visas. Even though there is a “cap” on how many U-Visas are issued annually (the cap is 10,000) the Government issues only about half  each year.

So by saying that they where the victim of some crime in Agriprocessors and helping the state in its prosecution of Sholom Rubashkin the minors would make themselves eligible for a U-Visa, thereby obtaining the long sought after dream (for themselves and their entire family) of being part of this great country. All they had to do was play the victim and ignore the fact that they had paid money, risked their lives, and lied to anyone they had to in order to get the job!

So by calling Special Agent Spalding the state was trying to get ahead of what they knew would be a tough sell. The fact that each minor who testified had a real good reason to lie.

Once again from listening to just the question and answer posed by the State you will miss out on key issues that the state knew would not be favorable to their case an therefor chose to ignore.

“Never let the facts get in the way of a good story”

To listen to Ms Roan for the State click here (aprox 10:00)

Ed Note: Funny how she doesn’t ask which crimes suffered make one eligible. (I will give you hint as to why, most normal people would never in a million years put those kids in that category) I will post the list in the comments section (WARNING: parts of the list is not kid friendly).

To listen to Mr Weinhardt for the Defense click here (aprox 11:00)