In the wake of President Donald Trump's commutation of the sentence of a former Agriprocessors manager, one church leader in Postville says, "Our town collapsed completely."

On Wednesday President Trump commuted the 27-year federal prison sentence of Shalom Rubashkin, the former executive of Agriprocessors, a kosher meatpacking plant in Postville, now known as Agri Star.

In response, Fr. Nils de Jesus Hernandez, Pastor of the Trinity Cluster, released a statement regarding the commutation.

Hernandez says in his statement, "Yesterday, we heard with great astonishment that Mr. Sholom Rubashkin was commuted by President Trump for the crimes committed nine years ago when he was the manager of Agriprocessors, Inc. in Postville, IA. It seems that the testimony of the nearly 400 immigrants who were imprisoned, deported, or under the abuse of the power of Agriprocessors, Inc. and ICE will be forgotten. "

Hernandez goes on to say, "Our town collapsed completely. How do we forget the abuse and exploitation of which the immigrants were victims to in that plant? It is believed that Mr. Rubashkin knew it all and he allowed it."

Tonight on the KCRG-TV9 News at 5 and 6, Allison Wong brings you reaction from those in Postville.

Here is the full statement:

On behalf of the Trinity Cluster Catholic community, I present this official statement in response to President Trump’s decision to commute Mr. Sholom Rubashkin. Yesterday, we heard with great astonishment that Mr. Sholom Rubashkin was commuted by President Trump for the crimes committed nine years ago when he was the manager of Agriprocessors, Inc. in Postville, IA. It seems that the testimony of the nearly 400 immigrants who were imprisoned, deported, or under the abuse of the power of Agriprocessors, Inc. and ICE will be forgotten. St. Bridget Catholic Church in Postville, IA became a sanctuary, a holy ground for refuge and support for many vulnerable families. Postville will never forget the crying of the families and the fear of the children losing their parents and not seeing them again in their lives. Postville was truly devastated, its economy collapsed, but the most painful thing was the loss of a great part of its population that just wanted to give a better future to their children. Our town collapsed completely. How do we forget the abuse and exploitation of which the immigrants were victims to in that plant? It is believed that Mr. Rubashkin knew it all and he allowed it. Our community has recovered thanks to many great people; however, we need an urgent immigration reform. We cannot tolerate more abuses and families divided. The current immigration system is a broken system and nothing is being done by the U.S.A. Congress. The voice of so many separated families in our town is still present. I am an eye witness of it. It is not possible for President Trump to forgive Mr. Rubashkin just because it is the right thing to do. Forgiveness is important, yet we are accountable for our transgressions before divine justice. It seems like the President always benefits the rich people, which is well known to all. It is a pity that we are in this great nation yet we witness again injustices. With President Trump’s actions are we abusing again those who live in the peripheries—our brother and sister immigrants? Pope Francis says “In a spirit of compassion, let us embrace all those fleeing from war and hunger, or forced by discrimination, persecution, poverty and environmental degradation to leave their homelands.” It is my hope that we all are awakened by this decision to act in peace and defend justice. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2018!

Fr. Nils de Jesús Hernández, Pastor