A roofing company in Bellingham, Washington, was raided by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) where masked agents in tactical gear detained three family members of a worker, along with dozens of co-workers. The worker, who requested anonymity, said his brother and cousins were apprehended during the raid, which took place as employees arrived at work around 7 a.m. Many workers tried to escape, but ICE officers were waiting for them. More than three dozen employees were arrested and taken to a processing facility in Tacoma.
The raid was part of a criminal investigation into the unlawful employment of aliens without proper work authorization. The workers were accused of misrepresenting their immigration status and providing fraudulent documents to gain employment. The company’s owner, Mark Kuske, claimed he followed all hiring rules and regulations and had no reason to believe any of his employees were unauthorized to work in the U.S.
The worker expressed sadness and fear over the events, especially for his brother who had crossed the border to escape a drug cartel. Families of detainees also spoke out, expressing devastation over the impact of the raid on their loved ones. Community members held a rally in support of the arrested men, condemning the action as tearing families and communities apart. The worker, although a U.S. citizen, is considering returning to Mexico due to the fear and uncertainty caused by the raid.
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