Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raided a roofing company in Bellingham, Washington, detaining several employees and family members. Many workers fled when they saw ICE trucks arrive, but were caught by waiting agents. The owner of the company, Mark Kuske, claimed he followed all hiring regulations and did not know any of his employees were unauthorized to work in the U.S. The workers arrested had allegedly misrepresented their immigration status and provided false documents to gain employment.
The raid was part of a criminal investigation into unlawful employment of aliens. The Trump administration’s policy shift included targeting families and individuals without criminal records, not just violent offenders. One worker, whose brother and cousins were detained, described the raid as a scary scene with masked officers carrying long rifles and helicopters overhead. He said his brother had come to the U.S. three years prior to escape a drug cartel.
Families of those detained expressed sadness and rallied in support of the arrested men. One person mentioned the impact on the community and the wrongful tearing apart of families. The worker, despite being a U.S. citizen, is considering returning to Mexico due to the fear instilled by the raid. The detention of his family members has left a deep emotional impact, making it difficult for him to continue working under such circumstances.
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