20 migrants in custody after ICE operation at Spring business
The Brief
ICE Houston conducted a worksite enforcement operation at Texas Couplings LLC in Spring, Texas.
Twenty undocumented migrants are in custody at Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe.
ICE agents were investigating after discrepancies during an I-9 audit for Texas Couplings.
According to ICE, part of their strategy is using I-9 inspection program to prevent illegal employment.
HOUSTON - In an operation on Tuesday, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took 20 undocumented migrants into custody in Spring.
ICE reports they discovered discrepancies during an I-9 audit for a local business and were investigating.
What we know
According to the agency, officials conducted a worksite enforcement operation at Texas Couplings LLC for alleged violations of US employment law. The operation followed the discovery of substantial discrepancies during an I-9 audit.
At the location, they found 20 migrants and took them into custody for administrative immigration violations. They were taken to Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe.
The backstory
The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986 requires employers to verify the identity and work eligibility of all individuals they hire, and to document that information using the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9.
Part of ICE Homeland Security Investigation's (HSI) strategy is using the I-9 inspection program to promote compliance with the law and prevent illegal employment, the agency stated. ICE HSI focuses on looking into employers who knowingly break the law. They use I-9 audits and civil fines to encourage compliance.
The other side
"For me and my sister, it's been hard. It's been confusing. We are shocked that this could happen," said a family member of one of the detainees. The family member asked to remain anonymous. "We understand the laws that are in place, but you don't really know until it happens to you or a loved one."
The Mexican family, who have lived in the United States for 30 years, expressed concern for their 65-year-old father, who had been working at Texas Couplings for 14 years.
"My dad is older, and we're just concerned for his health and where they're going to take him. If they're going to deport them or not. The unknown. It's just scary," the family member added.
When asked about the father's immigration status, the family member confirmed, "He is undocumented. He's not a criminal besides being undocumented."
What's next
ICE Houston stated that no further information will be provided at this time, as the investigation into suspected violations of federal law is ongoing.
The Source
FOX 26's Jonathan Majia spoke on the phone with the daughter of one of the detained undocumented immigrants and confirmed the operation with an ICE Houston spokesperson who sent a statement about the operation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
24 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Federal immigration raid at Omaha food production plant sparks protests
OMAHA, Neb. — Immigration authorities raided at least one Omaha food production plant Tuesday morning, inspiring some small protests, but details about how many workers were affected weren't immediately clear. Omaha police and the Douglas County sheriff said immigration officials had warned them about their plans, and their departments helped block off traffic around the neighborhood where many food production plants are located while U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers worked. ICE officials didn't immediately respond to questions.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Federal immigration raid at Omaha food production plant sparks protests
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Immigration authorities raided at least one Omaha food production plant Tuesday morning, inspiring some small protests, but details about how many workers were affected weren't immediately clear. Omaha police and the Douglas County sheriff said immigration officials had warned them about their plans, and their departments helped block off traffic around the neighborhood where many food production plants are located while U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers worked. ICE officials didn't immediately respond to questions. Meatpacking plants rely heavily on immigrant workers who are willing to do the physically demanding work. The industry has not yet been the focus of President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement efforts, but the administration has been intensifying its efforts in recent weeks. Trump called out the National Guard this week to respond to ongoing protests in Los Angeles over his immigration policies. In Omaha, a small group of people came out to protest the raids, and some of them even jumped on the front bumper of a vehicle to try to stop officers. Glenn Valley Foods officials didn't immediately respond to an inquiry from The Associated Press, but WOWT reported that CEO and owner Gary Rohwer said he wasn't made aware of the operation ahead of time and that there was no warrant. 'Of course not. It's a raid,' said Rohwer, whose company makes the Gary's QuickSteak brand of ready-to-grill steak. Federal agents entered the plant around 9 a.m. Tuesday with a list of 97 people they wanted to screen, Rohwer said. He said the company regularly checks the immigration status of employees with the federal E-Verify database. The raids prompted one Douglas County Commissioner to walk out in the middle of a meeting Tuesday to head down to the area he represents in southeast Omaha where the plants are located. Commissioner Roger Garcia and City Councilman Ron Hug both expressed concern about the impact of the raids on families. 'These actions are deeply harmful to the South Omaha community,' Hug said in a statement. 'Not only are they unjust and disruptive, but they also directly undermine the economic stability and growth of District 4 and the broader community.' Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson said his agency is 'not privy to the exact nature of the ICE operation' but that his agency is there to assist with assuring 'peace and safety' of everyone in the area. Asked when he learned of the operation, he said his department received 'respectful and ample notification.' He says he got the notification about a week ago. Margery A. Beck And Josh Funk, The Associated Press Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Protests over immigration raids popping up across the country with more planned
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Protests that sprang up in Los Angeles over immigration enforcement raids and prompted President Donald Trump to mobilize National Guard troops and Marines have begun to spread across the country, with more planned into the weekend. From Seattle to Austin to Washington D.C., marchers have chanted slogans, carried signs against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and snarled traffic through downtown avenues and outside federal offices. While many were peaceful, some have resulted in clashes with law enforcement as officers made arrests used chemical irritants to disperse crowds. Activists plan more and even larger demonstrations in the coming days, with so-called 'No Kings' events across the country on Saturday to coincide with Trump's planned military parade through Washington. The Trump administration said it would continue its program of raids and deportations despite the protests. 'ICE will continue to enforce the law,' Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted Tuesday on social media. A look at protests sprouting up across the country: AUSTIN Four Austin police officers were injured and authorities used chemical irritants to disperse a crowd of several hundred demonstrators Monday night that moved between the state Capitol and a federal building that houses an ICE office. State officials had closed the Capitol to the public an hour early in anticipation of the protest. Austin police used pepper spray balls and state police used tear gas when demonstrators began trying to deface the federal building with spray paint. The demonstrators then started throwing rocks, bottles and other objects at a police barricade, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said. Three officers were injured by 'very large' rocks and another hurt a shoulder while making an arrest, she said. Austin police arrested eight people, and state police arrested several more. Davis said her department is prepared for Saturday's planned protest downtown. 'We support peaceful protest,' Davis said. 'When that protests turn violent, when it turns to throwing rocks and bottles .... That will not be tolerated. Arrests will be made.' DALLAS A protest that drew hundreds to a rally on a city bridge lasted for several hours Monday night before Dallas police declared it an 'unlawful assembly' and warned people to leave or face possible arrest. Dallas police initially posted on social media that officers would not interfere with a 'lawful and peaceful assembly of individuals or groups expressing their First Amendment rights.' But officers later moved in and local media reported seeing some in the crowd throw objects as officers used pepper spray and smoke to clear the area. At least one person was arrested. 'Peaceful protesting is legal,' Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, posted on X. 'But once you cross the line, you will be arrested.' ___ SEATTLE About 50 people gathered outside the immigration court in downtown Seattle on Tuesday, chanting with drums and holding up signs that said 'Free Them All Abolish ICE' and 'No to Deportations.' The protest was initially peaceful but protesters began putting scooters in front of the entryways to the building before police arrived. Mathieu Chabaud, with Students for a Democratic Society at the University of Washington, said they were there in solidarity with the protesters in Los Angeles, 'and to show that we're opposed to ICE in our community.' Legal advocates who normally attend the immigration court hearings as observers and to provide support to immigrants were not allowed inside the building. Security guards also turned away the media. The hearings are normally open to the public. SANTA ANA In Santa Ana near Los Angeles, armored vehicles blocked the road Tuesday morning leading into the Civic Center, where federal immigration officers and numerous city and county agencies have their offices. Workers swept up plastic bottles and broken glass from Monday's protests. Tiny shards of red, black and purple glass littered the pavement. Nearby buildings and the sidewalk were tagged with profane graffiti slogans against ICE and Trump's name crossed out. A worker rolled paint over graffiti on a wall to block it out. National Guard officers wearing fatigues and carrying rifles prevented people from entering the area unless they worked there. Associated Press writers Martha Bellisle in Seattle and Amy Taxin in Santa Ana, California contributed.
