Neighbors and family members said the men who were arrested were heading to work when they were detained.
HOUSTON — Several men were detained by ICE on Tuesday in Houston’s East End, according to residents of an apartment complex off the Gulf Freeway near Wayside.
Family members said the men were heading to work when they were picked up. They worked as roofers, construction workers and cooks at local restaurants.
Family members of the men who were detained are worried about what will happen next.
Surveillance video from a nearby gas station showed some of the men being taken into custody.
The video showed a few men walking toward their worksite and then turning and running when armed men wearing vests chased them.
A store clerk picked up a lunchbox that one of the men dropped. The clerk said they’re holding it if someone wants to go pick it up.
Another video showed another man, identified as Erik, being arrested.
Family members said he works as a cook at a local restaurant and has no criminal record. His brother said they came to America to work and find a better life so they could escape their living situation in Guatemala.
Erik’s wife, Teresa, was left at home with the couple’s 8-year-old son. She said ICE had been staking out their apartment since before dawn, but neighbors thought they had left. When Erik believed it was safe, he headed out. Moments later, she learned he had been taken.
“Alla en la esquina lo agarraron a él,” she said.
(“They got him right there on the corner.”)
Video of Erik’s arrest showed him being pinned to the ground by agents.
“No hallaba qué hacer … Me quedé sin palabras. Empecé a llorar. Me quedé sola con mi niño. Estoy triste porque no sé dónde está ahora,” Teresa said.
(“I didn’t know what to do … I was speechless. I started crying. I’m alone now with my son. I’m sad because I don’t know where he is.”)
Another woman said her husband was also arrested. Also from Guatemala, she said they have four children and her husband is the sole provider. Now, she’s worried about the future of her family.
ICE wouldn’t acknowledge any of the arrests, instead saying that under President Donald Trump’s administration, immigration enforcement has intensified and they’re targeting all undocumented immigrants regardless of their criminal record.