Earlier this morning, Federal immigration officials raided local Sumner-based business, Load Trail, detaining undocumented workers.
Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Katrina Burger stated, “We are conducting a criminal operation today in furtherance of criminal investigation. I cannot say anything further at this time because it is a criminal investigation.”
According to sources, more than 300 federal agents and support staff, including translators, were on the scene this morning.
“Businesses that knowingly hire illegal aliens create an unfair advantage over their competing businesses,” said Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger, HSI Dallas, which oversees 128 counties in North Texas, and the state of Oklahoma.
“In addition, they take jobs away from U.S. citizens and legal residents, and they create an atmosphere poised for exploiting their illegal workforce.”
Several buses with people on board were seen leaving the premises this afternoon but the official number of people detained has not be released at this time.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations’ Dallas office said the names of those detained will be on ice.gov within 48 hours.
All of the immigration status violators arrested Aug. 28 will be interviewed by ICE staff and Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Immigration Health Services (DIHS) staff to record any medical, sole-caregiver or other humanitarian situations. Based on these interviews, ICE will determine if those arrested remain in custody or are considered for humanitarian release.
In all cases, all illegal aliens encountered will be fingerprinted and processed for removal from the United States.
The Dallas Morning News reported Katrina Berger, special agent in charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations’ Dallas office, said the operation is expected to be one of the largest of its kind nationally in a decade.
Local law enforcement officials did not participate in the Tuesday raid.
A 24-hour toll-free detainee locator hotline is available for family members of those arrested in this operation to address questions about their detention location and status, and the removal process. This hotline operates in English and Spanish; the phone number is 1-888-351-4024.
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UPDATE 12:01pm: Employees are being released from Load Trial who have proven their legal status.
“We received green wrist bands when we showed our ID and were released,” said one employee.
They say those who could not prove legal status have been detained and were in handcuffs when they left.
UPDATE: Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Katrina Burger stated, “We are conducting a criminal operation today in furtherance of criminal investigation. I cannot say anything further at this time because it is a criminal investigation.”
BREAKING NEWS: ICE has shut down Load Trail. Multiple agents are scene. A helicopter is circling the area and buses are pulling in.
More details will be posted as it becomes available.
