Three members of the Iowa Minuteman Civil Defense Corps held up signs protesting illegal immigration recently outside the Home & Garden Show in Des Moines.
"The reason we picked the Home & Garden Show is because home builders and lawn-care companies are notorious for hiring illegal immigrants," said Robert Ussery of Des Moines, Iowa chapter leader.
The group said it wanted to encourage employers to check the credentials of their employees so they do not hire undocumented immigrants.
According to the picketers, the group educates the public about illegal-immigration issues, works to enforce or change current laws, and contributes to border-control efforts. The Iowa chapter was organized in June 2006 and has 50 members, Ussery said.
"We're getting lots of thumbs up and lots of stopping and talking," said Ron Duncan of Missouri Valley.