ICE arrests multiple workers at Washington Roofing Company

Listen To Story Above

Federal immigration authorities conducted a significant workplace enforcement operation in Washington state, resulting in the detention of 37 individuals at a roofing company over alleged immigration violations.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents carried out the arrests at Mount Baker Roofing in Bellingham, located near the Canadian border. The agency stated that the individuals were taken into custody for allegedly misrepresenting their immigration status and submitting false documentation.

NEW: ICE @EROSeattle conducted a raid at Mount Baker Roofing located in Bellingham, Washington.

37 illegal aliens were taken into custody on Wednesday following the execution of a federal search warrant, an ICE spokesperson told me in a statement.

/div>

All of the illegal aliens "had… pic.twitter.com/tLkxfskOs1

— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) April 2, 2025

The operation was part of an ongoing criminal investigation, according to local news outlet King5.

Mount Baker Roofing’s owner, Mark Kuske, expressed his distress over the situation in a statement: “It is with a heavy heart that we navigate this moment. Many of those impacted have worked for us, as tax-paying employees, for years, if not decades. These hardworking individuals were actively supporting our community by helping to build the homes and install the roofs that protect us all from the elements. Many of these individuals are active members of local churches, schools, and communities.”

Kuske also addressed broader concerns about immigration enforcement’s impact on businesses, stating: “Looking beyond the personal impact, we cannot ignore the larger implications of today’s events. Policies like the enforcement action carried out today directly harm small businesses like ours, making it increasingly difficult to operate and further inflating the prices paid by consumers.”

Mount Baker Roofing owner Mark Kuske said in a statement:

"It is with a heavy heart that we navigate this moment. Many of those impacted have worked for us, as tax-paying employees, for years, if not decades." pic.twitter.com/8vDNW5OS3I

— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) April 3, 2025

The roofing company indicated its commitment to working with authorities while ensuring their employees receive fair and respectful treatment under legal proceedings.

Following their arrest, authorities transported all 37 individuals to the Northwest ICE Processing Facility, located in Tacoma.

The operation reflects a broader trend in immigration enforcement. During President Donald Trump’s first 50 days in office, ICE conducted 32,809 arrests, averaging 656 arrests daily. This marked a significant increase from the previous period, which saw an average of 311 daily arrests during the 12 months ending September 30.