Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
ICE Conducts Raid at Bellingham Roofing Company, Detaining Workers
Federal immigration authorities executed an operation at a roofing business in Bellingham, Washington, on Wednesday, resulting in the apprehension of numerous employees. A worker at Mount Baker Roofing, speaking anonymously, recounted seeing armed agents descend upon the premises, leading to the detention of his relatives and colleagues. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid targeted the company as part of a criminal investigation into alleged unlawful employment practices.
Witness Account of the Raid
According to a U.S. citizen employed at the company, who requested anonymity to protect family members with uncertain immigration status, the early morning raid involved masked agents in tactical gear carrying firearms. He stated that his 21-year-old brother, a native of Michoacan, Mexico, along with two cousins, were among those taken into custody during the Wednesday operation.
He described arriving at work around 7 a.m. to find a large number of vehicles arriving. “I immediately shouted ‘Run, immigration is here!'” the worker recalled. He witnessed colleagues fleeing towards a nearby wooded area, only to find ICE officers already positioned there.
Reflecting on the swift events, the worker recounted a poignant last moment with his brother: “My brother touched my back as he ran, and I believe that was his way of saying goodbye.”
Details of the ICE Operation
ICE confirmed in a statement that over three dozen Mount Baker Roofing employees were apprehended and transported to the Northwest ICE Processing Facility in Tacoma. An agency spokesperson stated the raid was based on a search warrant related to a criminal inquiry into the “illegal employment of foreign nationals lacking legal work authorization, in violation of federal statutes.”
The spokesperson further indicated that those detained had allegedly misrepresented their immigration status and presented fraudulent documentation to secure employment. Worksite enforcement and the exploitation of workers remain areas of focus for federal agents, the statement added.
Company Owner Responds
Mark Kuske, the owner of Mount Baker Roofing, stated that his company employs approximately 85 individuals and that he had no indication any were working without authorization. Kuske affirmed his commitment to adhering to all federal and state regulations regarding hiring practices.
Community Impact and Reaction
The worker whose brother and cousins were detained described the sudden operation as “frightening,” noting the tactical gear worn by law enforcement, including masks and rifles, as well as the presence of helicopters and drones overhead. “It was a disturbing scene,” he commented, mentioning that agents appeared to have pre-existing photographs and information about those they arrested, addressing them by name.
He recounted his brother’s arrival in the United States three years prior, seeking refuge after a drug cartel in Mexico reportedly attempted to abduct him.
Expressing his emotional distress, the worker stated, “I feel awful and reluctant to return to work. It is painful to see my co-workers’ belongings still present.”
“I am constantly thinking about how the officers seized them. I am deeply concerned for my brother, who has always relied on me.”
Broader Community Concerns
Geovana Perez, identifying herself as the aunt of another detained individual, voiced concerns to local media, stating, “We are deeply saddened by the destruction of numerous families.”
Speaking in Spanish, she conveyed through a translator, “We are truly sad. It is heartbreaking for every family experiencing this situation.”
Community Rally and Ongoing Fears
Following the raid, dozens gathered in a rally on Wednesday to demonstrate solidarity with the detained men.
Pauline Black, addressing local media, remarked, “It is wrong to dismantle our community, to remove fathers, sons, brothers, family members of all kinds who contribute taxes. They are integral to our community. This action is unjust.”
The roofing worker, despite his U.S. citizenship, expressed considering a return to Mexico due to the pervasive fear. “It is very frightening,” he reiterated. “We are now constantly wary of unfamiliar vehicles near our home. Living under such fear is difficult.”