ICE Detains Nearly 60 Individuals in New York Raids

On Thursday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained dozens of undocumented individuals in Cato and Fulton, New York.

Close to 60 people were apprehended at a nutrition bar factory around 9 AM. Agents had to forcibly enter the facility, using clovers to break through locked doors.

According to reports from media outlets, the operation at the factory was described as a “court-approved enforcement action.”

While ICE hasn’t provided extensive details, a spokesperson emphasized the agency’s commitment to upholding workers’ rights and U.S. law, although specifics on the ongoing investigation remain unavailable.

Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenk noted that his deputies assisted ICE with traffic control and security but did not participate in the entry of the factory. He clarified that the operation was led by the Department of Homeland Security.

The factory owner, Mark Schmidt, expressed that the raid felt excessive and mentioned efforts to vet the employees he hires. However, he didn’t clarify how many of his workers were undocumented.

In a related incident, ICE also conducted operations at a factory in Fulton, targeting the employment of illegal foreign workers.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul criticized the raid, particularly highlighting how it affected families, stating that many of those arrested were parents of school-age children.

“I am furious about the ICE raids in Cato and Fulton this morning, where over 40 adults were detained, including at least a dozen parents who now risk returning from school to find empty homes,” she stated.

She further asserted, “While New York will collaborate with federal authorities to enhance border security and address violent criminals, we will not support masked ICE agents who tear families apart.” She expressed concerns that these actions do not contribute to the safety of New York but rather harm hardworking families striving to build new lives, similar to countless immigrants before them.