'This is kidnapping - plain and simple': ICE arrests 9 employees at Allston car wash

"Nine employees at a car wash in Allston, all of whom had work permits, were detained in a raid by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Tuesday morning, the business's manager said. At about 10:30 a.m., around 22 federal agents arrived at the Allston Car Wash on Cambridge Street with subpoenas in hand, according to manager Jose Barrera. "It was very intimidating the way they showed up," Barrera told Boston.com."

"The masked agents asked the employees to show their documents, but began detaining them before giving them an opportunity to retrieve the documents from their work lockers, which Barrera attributed to the language barrier between them. "They were not able to clearly speak to the officers and get a chance to present their documents," Barrera said. Of the nearly two dozen agents present, only two of them identified themselves as such, according to Barrera."

""This is kidnapping - plain and simple," Breadon said in the statement. "It is a horrifying chapter in the illegal and vindictive targeting of Boston by ICE and the Trump Administration." Breadon encouraged anyone impacted by ICE to contact the Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network or the Political Asylum/Immigration Representation Project, which are both Boston-based, for assistance. She also urged constituents to call or text the LUCE Defense Hotline "to report suspected ICE activity or obtain information on verified ICE sightings.""

Nine employees at an Allston car wash with work permits were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Tuesday morning. About 22 federal agents arrived at 10:30 a.m. at the Allston Car Wash on Cambridge Street with subpoenas. Manager Jose Barrera said masked agents began detaining employees before they could retrieve documents from lockers, citing a language barrier that impeded clear communication. Only two agents identified themselves, and agents refused to explain why the employees were detained or where they were being taken. ICE did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Councilor Liz Breadon condemned the action and urged impacted people to seek local immigration assistance.

Read at Boston.com