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Governor Kathy Hochul has strongly criticized a recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid at Nutrition Bar Confectioners in Cato, describing it as "un-American" and "deeply appalling." During a visit to Syracuse on Monday (September 15), Hochul addressed the raid, which took place on September 4, leading to the detention of 69 factory workers. Some of these individuals were deported to Guatemala within 72 hours.
Hochul expressed concern over the impact of the raid on the business and its employees. "They make products that are sold in Costco and Walmart," she noted, emphasizing the factory's struggle to remain operational after the raid. The governor recounted her conversation with the owners, who described the raid as traumatic and unnecessary. According to Hochul, ICE agents separated workers based on their skin color, which she found particularly disturbing.
The raid has sparked controversy, with federal prosecutors refusing to disclose why the business was targeted. Hochul criticized the tactics used by ICE, highlighting an incident where an agent reportedly yanked a woman off a toilet. "Is this really what America has come to?" she asked, questioning the justification for the raid, as the agents only had administrative, not criminal, warrants.
Hochul also addressed the human impact of the raid, particularly on families. She mentioned that three mothers with infants were separated from their children, describing the situation as traumatic. Hochul reached out to Tom Homan, the White House's border czar, seeking assistance in reuniting these families, but has yet to receive a response.
The governor expressed her frustration with the federal government's approach, stating, "I personally think these federal representatives don’t give a damn." Hochul pledged that New York State would assist in efforts to eliminate violent criminals but criticized the raid for paralyzing a local business and separating families.