BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 17 workers in Bethlehem Wednesday morning for alleged immigration violations.
The workers were restoring a fire-damaged apartment building on the Southside.
Mayor J. William Reynolds told 69 News he received a statement forwarded from ICE about the arrests but hasn’t been contacted directly. A statement from city police says they have no further information.
Videos shared with 69 News show a man who was working on the fire-damaged Five10 Flats in handcuffs.
The city said it was told agents were looking for someone related to an immigration violation and that Bethlehem police received a courtesy notification that federal agents were searching for an individual near the 500 block of East 3rd Street.
Mayor Reynolds told us city police did not participate in the arrest or detention of anyone there.
A resident says he saw one man detained and at least two other people on an unmarked bus.
Those who looked on were upset by the scene.
“As a Latina ESL teacher, my heart breaks for them. A lot of my students are taking English classes in order to be part of our country and our community,” said Malenie Tapia.
People in the community stopped by the apartment complex to see if they could help.
“I’m here cause my phone won’t stop ringing. I mean, people are concerned, they’re reaching out, they’re seeking help, they’re seeking ways to support,” said advocate Hasshan Batts.
Lisa Ronca is a nearby business owner, operating Cutters Bike Shop.
“I just feel like, right or wrong, they were working very hard trying to make a living,” Ronca said.
The arrests have prompted a rally Thursday night outside City Hall at 7 p.m.
An ICE spokesperson issued the following statement to 69 News:
“On June 11, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations Allentown and Enforcement and Removal Operations Philadelphia, along with federal law enforcement partners, conducted an HSI-led worksite enforcement operation at The Five 10 Flats apartment building, located at 510 E 3rd St., Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 17 employees of a construction contracting company were encountered, interviewed and arrested for immigration violations and subsequently detained pending removal proceedings. As this is an ongoing investigation, no further information is available at this time.”