"That's what we all want. If they're going to be deported, we just want to get it over so the moms can be with their kids," said Mabi Castro of Logan, a friend of several of the 145 undocumented immigrants who were arrested Tuesday at the Swift & Co. meat-packing plant in Hyrum.

More than 800 packed into St. Thomas Acquinas Catholic Church for the Spanish-language Mass and a message from the Rev. Clarence Sandoval. "Let us help you," Sandoval told those who fear to draw attention to their needs now that breadwinners are behind bars.

More than 300 - most of them family and close friends of those arrested - stayed to hear assurances from representatives of the Mexican and El Salvadoran consulates that they are helping to sort out the complex needs of those in jail and their families.

Of those arrested in Hyrum, 114 were taken into custody on immigration violations and 31 on criminal charges connected to their alleged use of stolen or forged identities. The raid there and at five other Swift plants around the country followed a 10-month investigation.

The families also learned that Swift, the former E.A. Miller plant, is working to get last paychecks to the families of those who were arrested as well as food baskets and day-care help.

And they were given phone numbers of community resources - from churches to doctors, credit unions to attorneys.

Representatives of the Cache County School District assured families that it's safe to send children to school, but they found transportation is an obstacle. Many children are staying with relatives in communities across the valley from their schools.

Jorge Angel, a representative of the advocacy group Asociacio«n Cultural y Educativa Latino-Americana, warned immigrants to avoid attorneys who are soliciting business, since it's not clear what kind of legal help each needs. But he urged them to not be shy about seeking help.

"There are a lot of people who want to help, but we can't help if we don't know who you are," he said.

Melanie Domenech Rodriguez, a psychology professor at Utah State University whose research in Latino mental health already acquainted her with many of the affected families, said there is a great deal of fear among immigrants now.

"People are asking 'Is it safe to go to the store for food?'"

Sunday's meeting, which lasted several hours, was helpful, she said.

"The community needed to come together in a safe place."

Many questions for Manuel Morodo, consul de proteccion for the Mexican Consulate in Salt Lake City, revolved around fear and logistics.

Some wondered if the raid was a one-time thing, whether immigrants must now be fearful at all times.

Many wanted to know how they can get money to the border and into the hands of those who are deported - if they're deported - so they can travel in Mexico.

One man asked if it will help his wife's case that she has been in the United States for 15 years.

Another essentially pleaded for his daughter to be deported so she can be reunited - in Mexico - with her children. He and his wife are now caring for two grandchildren, he said.

Morodo said the consulate is meeting with those in custody to learn of extended family in Mexico where children can be sent, if that's the family's choice.

The consulate also is trying to persuade Immigration and Customs Enforcement to simply deport those who must and can be deported. And, he said, the consulate has been working to secure the provisional release of mothers of small children, particularly single mothers and those whose husbands were also arrested.

That has eased the burden, some, on Estrella Alvarado, whose husband and two sisters were all arrested.

She was left with five children, two of them her own and three under age 2, on Tuesday. One of her sisters was later given a provisional release, so Alvarado now has help.

A homemaker, she worries what will happen now that her husband is not able to earn a living. "I'm taking it one day at a time."

Like dozens of others, Castro has stepped into the breach to help care for children this past week.

"I work, but in the afternoons, I can help," said Castro. Two friends, both single mothers, each had to leave three children in the care of extended family.

One 5-month-old baby had to be weaned from his mother's milk this week, Castro said.

Myron Sibrian, 10, who is staying with his aunt, Alvarado, had one question: "I wonder when my mom will be able to come home."

kmoulton@sltrib.com