UPDATE: Immigration advocates and lawyers are denouncing the actions of federal agents during a controversial raid in Cayuga County, New York that took place in September 2023. Newly released affidavits reveal that the operation, which resulted in 57 arrests, primarily targeted business records rather than individuals.
Perry Grossman, a supervising attorney with the New York Civil Liberties Union, stated that the federal agents’ “dragnet actions” and “nonconsensual questioning” represent a blatant violation of the rights of those involved. “Between the scores of armed agents stopping production and banging down bathroom doors, it’s clear that these agents violated the rights of these workers,” Grossman asserted. He emphasized the need for accountability for the agencies involved, including ICE and HSI.
Body camera footage from the raid shows federal agents persistently questioning workers at the Nutrition Bar Confectioners factory, even after they requested legal representation. One worker, identified only in Spanish as wanting to speak with a lawyer, was ignored by an agent who continued to press for answers. “When a person says they want to remain silent or speak to a lawyer, law enforcement should respect that decision,” Grossman added in an interview with Spectrum News 1.
Another worker, Argentina Juarez-Lopez, also requested legal counsel but was allegedly misrepresented by agents as admitting illegal status. Her attorney claims that the agents never even confirmed her identity or immigration status during the questioning, raising serious concerns about the legitimacy of the operation.
Jose Perez, an immigration lawyer based in Syracuse, represents Hediberto Ramirez-Perez, who was detained and deported despite holding a valid work permit. Perez highlighted that the raid was not genuinely aimed at individuals but rather at the business itself. “They were not targeting immigrants; they were allegedly targeting the business, but the business continues to operate,” he stated.
The raid’s fallout has ignited fears within the local community. Perez noted that potential witnesses may now feel unsafe approaching law enforcement, particularly individuals of color. He pointed out that the affidavit used by federal agents did not indicate an intent to detain individuals, further questioning the legality of the arrests made.
In light of these developments, Grossman called attention to the violation of the Fourth Amendment rights of those detained, noting that U.S. citizens and lawful residents were also swept up in the operation. “There’s certainly no individual suspicion about who gets huddled into the breakroom,” he stated.
The owners of Nutrition Bar Confectioners have yet to comment on the situation. Meanwhile, the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office has also not responded to requests for clarification regarding their involvement in the raid.
As this story unfolds, the implications of the raid are poised to resonate far beyond Cayuga County. Advocates are calling for a thorough investigation into the conduct of federal agents and a reevaluation of immigration enforcement practices in the region.
Stay tuned for further updates on this urgent issue as it develops.
