ICE agents, along with elements of the Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection, executed a federal search warrant at Mt. Baker Roofing in Bellingham, Washington, near the Canadian border. The result: 37 workers were arrested, accused of presenting false documents or lying about their immigration status to obtain employment.
According to sources, the workers were herded into a room with a list of names and photos, and then taken off in two buses to detention centers in Tacoma. Witnesses described the scene as stressful and chaotic, as they were treated almost like criminals.
Company and community reaction
The owner of Mt. Baker Roofing stated that he is fully cooperating with the authorities and assured that his employees have always been treated with respect.
The company has about 120 employees, many of whom had been working effectively for years.
Local community organizations expressed concern about the impact on migrants and families.
Liz Darrow, of Community to Community Development, commented that “actions like this generate fear, prevent people from going to work or school, and damage community trust.”
In addition, seven Washington state representatives asked for official explanations of the ICE operation, indicating that many of those arrested may not pose any risk.
Impact on the construction sector
This ICE raid, one of the largest in Washington since 2018, highlights the industry’s reliance on immigrant labor.
Analysts point out that hiring U.S. workers is difficult and costly, and that the shortage of Latino labor is delaying multiple projects.
Testigos describieron la escena como estresante y caótica
QuéOnnda.com
In Alabama, a recent example shows that the fear generated by similar raids caused nearly half of the employees not to return to work, generating delays and cost overruns valued at tens of thousands of dollars.
Direct impact on Latino families
For Latinos living in the U.S. and working in vulnerable sectors such as construction, this situation has direct effects:
Increased fear at work, leading to absenteeism in schools and workplaces.
Risk of family separation, especially when parents are detained without warning.
Urgent need for free legal or consular assistance for those affected.
Many families are afraid to go to community centers or work for fear of repression, which affects the emotional and economic well-being of the community.
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