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Federal prosecutors will hold a news conference today following an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid at Nutrition Bar Confectioners in Cato, last Thursday (September 4). During the raid, law enforcement detained dozens of workers, with reports indicating that about 70 of the 150 employees were taken into custody. The operation involved as many as 75 officers from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office.
The raid, which took place in a strongly Republican area that supported President Donald Trump in the last election, has stirred surprise and concern among local residents. According to NewYorkUpstate.com, many locals, including business owners and community members, expressed shock at the event. Some residents, like Navy veteran Mike Davis, voiced their disapproval, emphasizing that the detained individuals were hardworking and posed no threat.
Federal officials plan to use the news conference to warn businesses about the risks of employing unauthorized workers. As of now, the owners of Nutrition Bar Confectioners have not been charged. The New York Times reported that some detained workers had prior criminal convictions or pending charges, such as child endangerment and driving while impaired.
The raid is part of ongoing efforts to target illegal employment networks, which officials claim undermine American workers and destabilize labor markets. The outcome of the news conference may provide further insights into the legal implications for businesses and the community following such raids.