Bethlehem Apartment Site Raided; 17 Undocumented Workers Taken Into Custody, ICE Says
Following a federal immigration operation in Pennsylvania, authorities reported that 17 individuals had been removed from the job site and placed under arrest.
A raid in Bethlehem resulted in the arrest of over a dozen people.
A raid in Bethlehem resulted in the arrest of over a dozen people.
A raid in Bethlehem resulted in the arrest of over a dozen people.
A raid in Bethlehem resulted in the arrest of over a dozen people.
A raid in Bethlehem resulted in the arrest of over a dozen people.
On Tuesday, June 11, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents and other federal partners arrived at the Bethlehem apartment complex, Five 10 Flats, located on East 3rd Street, and served a Notice of Inspection.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement claims that personnel from a subcontractor were working at the facility, which is presently empty and undergoing renovation.
At that point, agents came across and detained 17 people for violating immigration laws.
According to ICE, among those detained are 13 Venezuelan nationals, two Mexican nationals, one Ecuadorian national, and one Nicaraguan national.
Homeland Security Investigations’ primary duty is to ensure workplace compliance, according to Edward Owens, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia.
These kinds of inspections are essential for identifying unlawful employment practices that harm American workers, cause labor market instability, and leave our vital infrastructure vulnerable to abuse.
Days before to the search, the Bethlehem Police Department clarified their immigration policy on social media.
“Our department does not participate in civil immigration enforcement operations,” they stated.
“We do cooperate with federal agencies when required by law, such as in cases involving serious crimes or warrants issued by a federal judge.”
“Over the past week, the Bethlehem Police Department has received a number of phone calls and emails from community members seeking information about our policies and practices regarding immigration enforcement.”
The 17 people were administratively arrested, according to ICE officials, and they might be detained and deported from the US.
The federal government is still reviewing the inspection.
