Employees at Buckeye Fire Equipment Company in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, found themselves in a tense situation on Wednesday as they were held inside their workplace for several hours while ICE executed a search warrant. The operation resulted in the detention of approximately a dozen individuals, sparking a significant protest outside by members of the community.
Inside the facility, employee Josephine Bjurstrom recounted the invasive measures taken by investigators. She shared that employees were required to surrender personal items such as cellphones and underwent thorough searches as part of the operation. “They made us take everything out of our pockets, they patted us down, searched us, they made us put all of our portables in a plastic bag,” Bjurstrom explained, highlighting the level of distress among workers during the incident.
According to Lindsay Williams, a spokesperson for ICE, the operation was aimed at addressing allegations of identity theft related to the use of fraudulent documents for unauthorized employment. “These are allegations the employer or someone in there used fraudulent documents to allow people who aren’t authorized to work in this country to work,” she stated.
The emotional toll on employees and their families was palpable, as demonstrated by Julieth Perez, a protester whose cousin was among those inside the building. “People have human rights, those rights are being violated left and right,” Perez asserted. Her concern for her family’s safety and well-being resonated with many in the community. She noted that communication ceased when her cousin was instructed to turn off their phone, leaving her in a state of anxiety.
Throughout the operation, employees who were allowed to leave were escorted by officers and questioned about their identification and knowledge of any undocumented workers at the company. Bjurstrom reported that numerous questions were posed, creating a climate of fear and uncertainty regarding their coworkers’ status.
This incident reflects ongoing tensions around immigration enforcement in workplaces and the rights of workers amidst legal scrutiny. Advocates for the affected employees highlight the need for compassion and support within the community during such distressing events.