Federal Agents Detain Dozens At New Jersey Warehouse Raid

Federal immigration agents, primarily from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), conducted a large raid at the Smart Logistics and Freight Solutions warehouse in Edison, New Jersey, detaining approximately 29 to 50 immigrant workers. The warehouse, which houses companies like Amazon, FedEx, and UPS, is a CBP-bonded facility that allowed CBP officers to enter, but ICE agents reportedly lacked the judicial warrants necessary to conduct immigration enforcement actions, sparking legal and community concerns about the raid’s legitimacy. Videos and witness accounts describe a chaotic scene with roughly 20 ICE agents storming the warehouse, using drones to search for hidden workers, and detaining individuals, some of whom were injured, while others with documentation were given wristbands. Relatives of detained workers were left uninformed about their loved ones’ whereabouts, leading to distress among families and community activists. Congressman Frank Pallone and advocacy groups condemned the raid as an excessive show of force intended to intimidate immigrant communities and criticized President Donald Trump’s immigration policies for causing family disruptions and undermining due process. CBP characterized their role as a routine surprise inspection for customs, employment, and safety compliance, denying the primary purpose was immigration enforcement, though ICE’s involvement indicated otherwise.