Local

4 workers released, 3 still detained after ICE raid in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH — Omar Millan owns and operates OK Service LLC, a gutters and roofing company in Knoxville. He told Channel 11 that seven of his workers were detained by ICE on Tuesday morning, four of whom were released a few hours later. He is hoping for answers as to when the three still in custody could be released.

Surveillance video taken from a parking lot along Orchard Court shows several workers loading their trucks for the day around 7:45 a.m. Just moments later, chaos ensues. The video shows an unmarked car pulling up, as others come in from other directions. The workers scatter as what appear to be federal ICE agents chase them.

“The guys, they tried to run away from here – one guy here, one guy on the other side – it’s really crazy for me,” Millan said.

Millan told Channel 11 these men have the proper paperwork to be living here legally, which he and his wife worked all day to gather.

“I called my wife this morning, tried to get all the papers for each guy. They have social – bring in the social. They have paperwork – bring in the paperwork. They have a license from PA,” Millan said.

Channel 11 has also learned that trained volunteers from Frontline DIGNITY were brought to assist those affected, including those at a nearby childcare center who witnessed the raid.

“Our role is to stand in the gap in moments like this—to make sure people are not alone, and that what happens in our neighborhoods is witnessed with care and accuracy,” said Jaime Martinez, Executive Director of Frontline DIGNITY. “But what we saw this morning should give anyone pause. When enforcement unfolds across the street from a childcare facility, when agents move in ways that create chaos instead of safety, that’s something the entire community feels. Dignity has to mean something in practice, especially in moments like these.”

“I work at Hilltop Community Children’s Center. A bunch of my coworkers were outside this morning during the raid, screaming, banging on pots and pans,” said Katie Murphy. “They’re here every morning, going to work. They don’t bother anybody. We don’t have any issues with them.”

We’ve reached out to the Department of Homeland Security to get more information about these individuals from ICE officers. DHS officials asked us for the names of those involved, which Channel 11 provided, and we’re awaiting more details at this time.

Congresswoman Summer Lee sent us the following statement:

“Once again, ICE is terrorizing our communities and detaining workers in Pittsburgh. This inhumane enforcement campaign continues to instill fear, destabilize communities, and make everyone less safe. I stand firmly with our immigrant neighbors and families affected. Abolish ICE.”

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

0