Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained 14 people in an operation at a popular Mexican eatery in Marshall Township, Allegheny County. WTAE reported this raid took place at the Tepache Mexican Kitchen and Bar yesterday, and those arrested are said to be detained on the grounds of "immigration violations."
ICE's Homeland Security Investigations Pittsburgh and Enforcement and Removal Operations Philadelphia searched, collaborating with federal law enforcement partners. The team executed a federal search warrant during the operation. An ICE spokesperson explained that the agency is investigating, but details on the specifics of the raid remain undisclosed.
The incident garnered an immediate response, with community organization Casa San Jose arriving to support the detainees. "We could see people being detained from inside the door through the window putting their hands up like this, saying pray for us, waving, letting us know that they saw us and that they were hearing us," Jaime Martinez, a community defense organizer with Casa San Jose, stated, as per WTAE report.
When questioned about the legitimacy of Casa San Jose's defense of undocumented individuals, Jaime Martinez countered, "Every human being should be afforded dignity," he said. "Every human being has inherent dignity tied to them. What we are seeing right now, above all else, is violations of that dignity," as reported by CBS News Pittsburgh.
Agencies such as the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration were also reported to have assisted with the operation, though their exact roles have not been clarified. While the 14 detainees are being held in ICE custody, their current location was not mentioned by ICE authorities.
