ICE Raid at Bellingham Roofing Firm Results in Arrests

In a significant workplace raid, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 37 individuals at Mount Baker Roofing in Bellingham, Washington, for allegedly using fraudulent documents to gain employment. This operation was part of an ongoing investigation into unlawful employment practices and was executed with a federal search warrant. The raid has sparked mixed reactions among the local community, with some expressing concern over the heightened ICE activity and its impact on both documented and undocumented immigrants. The company has stated it is cooperating with authorities and emphasized the longstanding community involvement of the affected employees. This enforcement action aligns with broader efforts to reduce illegal employment and hold employers accountable, amidst calls for mandatory use of the E-Verify system to prevent such incidents. The arrested individuals have been taken to the Northwest ICE Processing Facility in Tacoma.