Advocates Slam Federal Raid Tactics on Cayuga County Business

URGENT UPDATE: Immigration advocates and attorneys are voicing outrage over a federal raid in Cayuga County, New York, that allegedly violated the rights of workers. The backlash follows the release of affidavits detailing how federal agents secured warrants for the operation, which targeted business records, not individuals.

New York Civil Liberties Union attorney Perry Grossman condemned the “dragnet actions” and “nonconsensual questioning” by agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “The scores of armed agents stopping production and banging down bathroom doors are clear violations of workers’ rights,” Grossman stated. He emphasized that those involved, including local law enforcement, must be held accountable.

The raid, which occurred in September 2023 at the Nutrition Bar Confectioners factory, has come under intense scrutiny. Body camera footage shows agents persistently questioning workers, even after requests for legal representation. One worker, an unidentified woman, expressed her desire to speak with a lawyer but was ignored by agents. Grossman highlighted that such actions infringe upon the right to remain silent.

Another detainee, Argentina Juarez-Lopez, reportedly requested legal counsel but was allegedly misrepresented by agents, who claimed she admitted to being in the U.S. illegally. “The camera footage contradicts these claims,” her attorney stated in a motion, noting that agents failed to even ascertain her name or immigration status during the incident.

The legal fallout is significant. Grossman argues that the operation breached the Fourth Amendment by detaining individuals without reasonable suspicion. “U.S. citizens and lawful residents were also caught up in this operation, which was not justly executed,” he added.

Additionally, Jose Perez, an immigration lawyer representing one of the detained workers, criticized the rationale behind the raid. “They were allegedly targeting the business, but we know the business continues to operate without charges,” he remarked, pointing to the 57 arrests made during the raid, which he deems illegal.

Perez expressed concern for local communities, emphasizing that residents may now fear interactions with law enforcement, particularly people of color. He called for better practices, noting that there are interpreters available without involving ICE.

The owners of the Nutrition Bar Confectioners have yet to respond to requests for comment on the situation. As the community grapples with the implications of this federal operation, advocates are calling for immediate reforms to ensure the protection of workers’ rights and to prevent similar incidents in the future.

As the situation develops, attention remains on how local authorities and federal agencies will address these allegations and what measures will be taken to uphold the rights of individuals in the workplace. Share this story to spread awareness about the ongoing fight for justice and accountability in immigration enforcement.