Tense Incident During ICE Raid Targeting Undocumented Immigrants in Southern Florida

A contractor in southern Florida expressed shock and dismay following an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation at a job site in Wilton Manors, Broward County, which led to the arrest of one worker. The raid, conducted on the morning of February 7, has sparked concern among business owners and the local immigrant community.

Jeb Shafer, owner of Shafer Construction, received a call from his subcontractor notifying him that ICE federal agents had arrived at the job location. In an attempt to manage the situation, Shafer rushed to the site but was unable to prevent the arrest of one of his employees. "They feel like family to you, so it's heartbreaking to witness," Shafer lamented, visibly shaken, in a statement to CBS News, describing the experience as "surreal."

A video of the incident captures a man in a white shirt being handcuffed and taken away by ICE agents. According to Shafer, the worker has resided in the United States for 15 years and has a wife and child. The same footage shows another subcontractor being pressed against a wall while agents interrogate him. "I was trying to retrieve my employee's cell phone to give it to his wife, trying to take the keys from the man who was being arrested," he explained.

The aggressive nature of the raid left Shafer and his crew in shock. Ultimately, he decided to send his team home for the rest of the day. "No one was in the mood to work," he admitted. "I want to find out the circumstances that allowed them to come and take him away. I need to be informed," he noted.

Legal Rights When Confronted by ICE Agents

In light of such operations, immigration attorney Ángel Leal stresses the importance of knowing legal rights when ICE agents arrive at a workplace or residence. "They need to have a warrant signed by a magistrate or a judge," Leal explained. "If they don't have a warrant signed by a magistrate or a judge, you don't have to let them in," he added.

Leal also mentioned that while business owners and homeowners may permit agents to enter, individuals retain the right to remain silent. "For example, if ICE agents say, 'Those of you who are undocumented, please stand here,' part of your right to remain silent is not to stand where they tell you," he explained. The lawyer emphasized staying calm and not resisting authority. "Everyone in this country, regardless of their immigration status, has constitutional rights," he affirmed.

Advice for Business Owners in Florida

Leal urged business owners to ensure compliance with state labor laws to avoid legal issues. "Make sure to comply with the different E-Verify laws here in the state of Florida. Make sure your I-9 forms are in order," he advised. For his part, Shafer expressed his hope to learn from the experience and help educate other contractors on handling such situations. "I feel sorry for the affected families," he said. "I just want to understand what happened and make sure I'm prepared to move forward," he added.

The Political Context and Immigration Policy in Florida

This operation takes place amid increasing pressure on immigration in Florida. Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis announced a partnership between the state and the Department of Homeland Security allowing ICE agents to collaborate with state and local law enforcement agencies in the apprehension and deportation of immigrants. The program grants the Florida Highway Patrol the ability to perform immigration control tasks that were previously unauthorized.

Local Authorities' Response

In response to the criticism and concerns generated by the operation, Wilton Manors Police Department Chief Gary Blocker issued a statement clarifying his agency's position. "Our agency does not initiate or coordinate federal immigration enforcement actions," Blocker stated. "ICE operates independently and determines when, where, and how to conduct its operations," he added.

According to Blocker, local police only arrived at the scene after ICE personnel encountered difficulties accessing the individual they were seeking. "We understand that incidents like these can cause concern in our community," he noted. "Our focus as your police department will continue to be on local issues, such as patrolling your neighborhoods, responding to service calls, and investigating crimes when they occur," he concluded.

For now, it remains unclear which of the involved security agencies had the confrontation with the subcontractor. Meanwhile, business owners like Shafer seek clarity on how to handle these situations in the future and protect their employees.