U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested five suspected undocumented immigrants employed by Rock Solid Custom Granite in Durango this week, said manager Jake Morrow.
Morrow said about 10 ICE and Homeland Security Investigations agents in five vehicles arrived at Rock Solid on Wednesday and arrested the employees because they allegedly lacked “proper documentation.”
He declined to identify his employees by name but described them as Hispanic.
Compañeros: Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center Co-Executive Director Enrique Orozco-Perez said the incident was the first “real raid” in Durango he is aware of since President Donald Trump began his second term.
He said Compañeros received reports that ICE showed up at Rock Solid around 8 a.m. Wednesday, asked people to identify themselves, and then detained individuals without presenting deportation orders or arrest warrants.
Morrow said ICE presented a warrant.
Orozco-Perez said if a legitimate warrant was presented, then ICE should have taken only the person named in the warrant.
“Everyone else should have been left alone,” he said. “But we know that’s not how they practice.”
ICE did not respond to multiple written requests for comment. Phone calls to its media inquiry line were met with busy tones.
Morrow said the arrested workers are “non-criminals.” Rock Solid requires two forms of identification when hiring employees, and those arrested Wednesday didn’t raise any red flags at the time of hiring.
He said he can’t always distinguish between a real ID and a fake one, but his workers have families, and their arrests are upsetting.
“My guys, they don’t even drink. They show up to work every day. They’re good guys,” he said. “We’re trying to find out how to help them, but even finding out where they are currently at right now is hard.”
He said the construction industry relies on Hispanic workers because they are willing to do the work.
Following the arrests, his staff has been reduced to four people.
“We weren’t doing anything illegal here,” he said. “Honestly, it felt like they were breaking up a drug deal or something. We’re just trying to cut granite and make a living.”
For help
Compañeros: Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center Co-Executive Director Enrique Orozco-Perez said the fastest way to report U.S. Immigration and Customs activity is by calling the Colorado Rapid Response Network hotline at (844) 864-8341.
He said the line is active 24/7 and connects to responders in English and in Spanish.
Volunteer responders will arrive at the site of ICE activity to document what occurs, he said.
“Our undocumented community (has) constitutional rights that they’re protected by,” he said.
People at risk of detention or arrest should know why they are being targeted and look for a warrant. Residents can learn more at a Know Your Rights workshop hosted by Compañeros, he said.
He added that Compañeros can also help families prepare packets with power of attorney forms and other instructions in the event of an arrest.
Orozco-Perez said the raid on Wednesday marks an increase in ICE activity in Durango, and that hotels and other construction sites are likely easy targets.
He said the immigrant workforce helps build and maintain houses, performs landscaping work, and is active in the service and tourism industries. Increased ICE activity will scare people from going to work and school, he said.
The arrests and heightened fear will take a toll on the economy as individuals and families feel financial pressure and seek social safety nets, he said.
“I guarantee there’s kids missing from school today. I guarantee there’s people missing from work today,” he said. “That doesn't help anyone. That doesn’t help our economy.”
cburney@durangoherald.com
