McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — The Laredo Fire Department responded to criticisms over reports that one of its ladder trucks was used by federal agents in a recent ICE raid of a warehouse in the South Texas border city.
The Laredo Immigrant Alliance says that the city’s truck was used in a raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Thursday at a warehouse near mile marker 13 and Interstate 35.
In a statement posted to their Facebook page, the Laredo Fire Department defended the sending of a ladder truck and ambulance to what they called “a recent federal operation,” saying “our involvement was strictly limited to providing medical standby support … our crews were on scene to ensure rapid medical response in case of emergencies, especially due to the remote location and the potential for high-angle rescue scenarios. Additional resources, including an aerial truck, were deployed purely as a precautionary safety measure.”
The Laredo Immigrant Alliance, in a statement posted to its Facebook page, said that they are “outraged by the ICE raid at the Mile Marker 13 warehouse construction site around 11:00 a.m. Via videos and pictures, it is clear that the Laredo Fire Department’s aerial ladder was used to aid ICE agents who pursued workers on the building’s roof.”
The Laredo Morning Times on Tuesday quoted Laredo Fire Department spokesman Hernan Martinez, who said that other videos appeared to show ICE agents climbing up the warehouse building while personnel stayed on the ground, with one firefighter remaining on the ladder platform for safety.
The Fire Department conceded in a statement on its Facebook page that “images circulating online may have created confusion or concern, particularly regarding our association with immigration enforcement activities. We want to be clear: The Laredo Fire Department is not involved in deportation efforts or any immigration enforcement operations.”
“We call on the City of Laredo to be fully transparent regarding the role our local law enforcement plays in collaboration with immigration enforcement and the use of critical city services,” the Laredo Immigrant Alliance said in a statement.
During a news conference on Monday, Laredo Mayor Victor Treviño said the city is “not immigration enforcement.”
Border Report has reached out to the Fire Department but has not received a call back. This story will be updated if information is received.
Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.
