ICE does not need a warrant to raid a business but cannot enter ‘private spaces,’ like offices, basements, etc. ICE must also provide employers at least 3 days prior notice if they plan to conduct a A Form I-9 audit. A Form 1-9 audit occurs when ICE comes to a business to check if it followed the rules for Form I-9, which confirms a worker’s identity and authorization to work in the U.S.
On Thursday, about one dozen ICE agents came in unannounced at the Ocean Seafood Depot in Newark, NJ. ICE detained several people, including a US Military veteran, “who suffered the indignity of having the legitimacy of his military documentation questioned. This egregious act is in plain violation of the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees ‘the right of the people be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures….’
The owner said his manager tried to show his veteran's card, but the agents did not accept it.
"A couple of the guys couldn't show their identification," the owner said. "Twenty-six years in business, I never seen anything like this."
The owner said three people were taken into custody. Surveillance video showed what appears to be federal immigration agents taking a man into custody outside the fish market.
When asked whether the operation would deter his other employees from coming to work Friday, he responded, "Yes, exactly. That's the question. That's not really helping my business, obviously, or any business."
In a joint statement late Thursday night, Democratic Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim, of New Jersey, said they were "deeply concerned about the news of an ICE raid in Newark today."
They said their offices have reached out to the Department of Homeland Security.
"Actions like this one sow fear in all of our communities — and our broken immigration system requires solutions, not fear tactics," the statement read.
