WILTON MANORS, Fla. – Viral videos of immigration raids in Wilton Manors are raising legal questions.
Legal residents and citizens were caught up in the raids on Friday, despite agents already arresting the individual they were after.
“It seems like they’re coming doing a fishing expedition,” said Patricia Wall, an immigration attorney with Stok Kon Braveman. “You cannot go on a fishing expedition just because they’re speaking Spanish.”
Workers said federal agents pulled up to the site and identified themselves as Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
They handcuffed one man but then came back.
Witnesses said they started to ask everyone else for identification, which led to a second arrest and then a scuffle with the subcontractor, who is a U.S. citizen.
“If you see any people (who look) like Spanish, they look straight right away, like we’re hiding something,” said the subcontractor, who didn’t want to be identified.
He said he was pushed as he was trying to secure one of the employee’s cellphones as he was being taken away.
The general contractor then got a frantic call and was told to come out to the demolition site as well.
Wall said it’s important for both citizens and immigrants to understand their rights: namely, the right to remain silent, which applies across the board. She said this is a slippery slope.
“You don’t need to answer any questions to the government, law enforcement — federal or state,” said Wall.
Immigration authorities have been directed to conduct operations anywhere — including hospitals, churches and schools right now.
It’s all part of the president’s mass deportation plan, so education, Wall said, is important. She wrote the following:
- You do not have to open the door unless a valid search or arrest warrant is presented signed and dated.
- You can step outside if you choose to speak to an officer and refused entry unless they have a valid search warrant. An arrest warrant does not give permission to enter non-public premises.
- You do not have to answer nationality/citizenship questions.
- You may choose to remain silent.
- If detained, you have the right to speak to an attorney.
- Employees Have the Right to Remain Silent and the Right to an Attorney.
Ask if your employees are free to leave. If they are not free to leave, they have a right to an attorney. Though you should not instruct your employees to refuse to speak to ICE, they also have the right to remain silent and do not need to answer any questions.
Patricia Wall, attorney
Wilton Manors police were also on scene, along with federal agents, during the scuffle.
Local 10 News has learned an internal investigation into the response is underway.
The Wilton Manors Police Department only provided a statement.
In it, Chief Gary Blocker said his agency “does not initiate or coordinate federal immigration enforcement actions,” saying “ICE operates independently and determines when, where, and how to conduct its operations,” and that ICE decides whether it will notify local law enforcement.
Blocker also commented on the worksite incident, saying “our officers were called to the scene after ICE personnel encountered challenges gaining access to the individual they were seeking” and said officers, per “standard practice” responded to “identify what if any assistance was being requested of us.”
“We understand that incidents like these can cause concern in our community,” Blocker said. “Our focus as your police department will remain on local issues such as patrolling your neighborhoods, responding to calls for service, and investigating crimes when they occur. Thank you for your continued partnership and support.”
Employer rights during raids: