ICE says 14 arrested in St. Paul Bro‑Tex raid; city leaders decry chemical spray as fundraiser tops $25K
Homeland Security Investigations/ICE said agents executed a search warrant at Bro‑Tex in St. Paul as part of a criminal worksite‑enforcement probe and arrested 14 people for immigration violations, noting one arrestee had past domestic‑abuse charges and another is suspected of felony illegal re‑entry, and saying FBI and DEA assisted. Protesters, elected officials and video footage reported federal personnel used a chemical irritant to disperse roughly 200 people gathered outside the warehouse—Mayor Melvin Carter and others condemned what they called tear‑gassing and said people were treated for eye irritation. Families have identified detained workers including Carlos Alberto Alarcón Avila, Camilo Morales Sanchez and Jamie Solano Godinez, and community fundraisers for Alarcón Avila topped $25,000 while attorneys and advocates continue checking for additional detentions.
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📌 Key Facts
- ICE/HSI executed a search warrant at Bro‑Tex in St. Paul as part of a criminal investigation, saying there was no threat to public safety and the investigation is ongoing.
- DHS/ICE reported 14 people were arrested for immigration violations at Bro‑Tex; officials said one arrestee had past domestic abuse charges and another is suspected of illegal reentry, framing the operation as worksite enforcement targeting illegal employment networks and potential labor trafficking/exploitation.
- Roughly 200 people gathered outside Bro‑Tex as protesters and elected/immigrant‑rights leaders spoke; federal agents used a chemical irritant (described by some as tear gas) to disperse crowds, video shows agents shoving people and moving federal vehicles, and protesters reported being struck by rubber bullets.
- A woman who was cuffed at the scene was held at the Whipple Federal Building and later released the same day; at least one other protester was detained briefly.
- City leaders and immigrant‑rights groups condemned the use of force — Mayor Melvin Carter, St. Paul City Council Vice President Hwa Jeong Kim and Mayor‑elect Kaohly Her spoke at a press conference/vigil — and the Immigrant Defense Network scheduled a 9 a.m. vigil/press conference outside the business.
- Local advocates said protesters were tipped off ahead of the raid; COPAL reported at least two Bro‑Tex workers detained and attorneys were checking for additional detentions; families publicly identified detained workers including Carlos Alberto Alarcón Avila, Camilo Morales Sanchez and Jamie Solano Godinez.
- FBI and DEA confirmed they assisted ICE/HSI during the operation; city officials said the St. Paul Police Department and Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office were not involved, and agents were reportedly staged at nearby Newell Park before the raid.
- A fundraiser for detained worker Carlos Alberto Alarcón Avila surpassed its $25,000 goal by Nov. 20; his family emphasized his community ties and said he has no criminal record.
📰 Sources (6)
Feds: 14 people arrested during immigration raid on St. Paul company Bro-Tex
New information:
- DHS says among the 14 arrested, one had past domestic abuse charges and another is suspected of illegal reentry (a felony).
- Families publicly identified additional detained workers: Camilo Morales Sanchez and Jamie Solano Godinez (in addition to previously noted Carlos Alberto Alarcón Avila).
- DHS provided a statement framing worksite enforcement as a cornerstone for public safety, national security and anti‑trafficking efforts.
St. Paul ICE raid: 14 people arrested for 'immigration violations'
New information:
- St. Paul City Council Vice President Hwa Jeong Kim and Mayor‑elect Kaohly Her spoke at a press conference/vigil condemning the violence during the raid.
- Fundraiser for detained worker Alarcón Avila surpassed its $25,000 goal by Nov. 20; family details his community ties and lack of criminal record.
- Reporter on scene described federal agents using chemical agents to disperse protesters; Mayor Melvin Carter said people were tear‑gassed and treated their eyes.
- Article reiterates DHS specifics: 14 arrests for immigration violations; one arrestee with past domestic abuse charges and another alleged felony illegal re‑entry.
ICE says they arrested 14 for immigration violations at St. Paul warehouse
New information:
- DHS/ICE confirmed 14 people were arrested for immigration violations at Bro‑Tex.
- ICE said one arrestee had past domestic abuse charges and another committed a felony by illegally re‑entering the U.S.
- ICE framed the action as worksite enforcement targeting illegal employment networks and potential labor trafficking/exploitation.
- Additional protest details: federal personnel used chemical irritant; a woman reported being struck by rubber bullets; one protester was detained and released later the same day.
Immigrant group confirms 2 were detained at St. Paul business, checking for more
New information:
- COPAL says at least two Bro‑Tex workers were detained; attorneys are checking if more were taken into custody.
- Roughly 200 people gathered outside Bro‑Tex on Wednesday; elected officials and immigrant‑rights leaders spoke.
- Protesters were sprayed with a chemical irritant; video shows people in front of moving federal vehicles and agents shoving individuals aside.
- A woman cuffed at the scene was held at the Whipple Federal Building and later released the same day.
- FBI and DEA confirmed they assisted ICE/HSI during the operation; SPPD and the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office were not involved, per a city council member.
- Agents reportedly staged at Newell Park before the raid; COPAL shared an anecdote of a St. Paul father and his brother being zip‑tied and removed.
ICE raid in St. Paul: What we know so far
New information:
- ICE confirms agents executed a search warrant at Bro‑Tex as part of a criminal investigation.
- ICE states there was no threat to public safety and the investigation is ongoing.
- Report that protesters were tipped off ahead of the raid.
- Mayor Melvin Carter quoted on scene saying protesters were 'tear‑gassed' and seen flushing their eyes.
- Immigrant Defense Network scheduled a vigil and press conference for 9 a.m. Wednesday outside the business.