Overview
- Advocates report at least some of the nine are held at an ICE facility in Burlington, with families alleging pressure to sign paperwork or self-deport.
- The car wash manager and witnesses say several detainees had work permits or other IDs but were not allowed to retrieve documents from their lockers.
- Witness accounts describe a heavy show of force with roughly 17 vehicles and about 22 masked agents who handcuffed workers outside the facility.
- ICE and the Department of Homeland Security have not provided confirmation or comment, while City Councilor Liz Breadon labeled the arrests “kidnapping” and members of Congress engaged to assist families.
- The business reopened with reduced hours as immigrant-rights groups coordinate legal help and support, with community leaders noting many detained workers are Guatemalan and include multiple family members.