NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WLS) — A homeowner in Naperville was left with an incomplete roofing job and shock after his family learned from neighbors that ICE agents allegedly visited his house and detained the workers on the site.
The alleged actions happened as ICE has been ramping up its operations in both the city and suburbs.
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“They mentioned that all the workers were gathered up and taken away without any due process,” commented Bobby Fischer, the homeowner. “There was absolutely no verification or consideration.”
Fischer and his family were out enjoying his daughter’s birthday when neighbors informed him about “police activity” happening at his residence.
“I got frantic texts from my neighbors saying, ‘hey are you guys okay? There’s a police presence all over your house,'” Fischer said.
Neighbors told him masked agents, who they believe to be ICE, arrived at his Naperville home around noon and targeted the crew working on his roof.
“The workers had to leap off the roof because to trap them, agents removed the ladders, leaving them the choice to either jump or stay up there,” Fischer explained.
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According to Fischer, five out of six workers jumped and fled. A neighbor mentioned to him that one worker hurt his leg during the ordeal before being detained.
What shocked Fischer the most was how agents allegedly detained another crew member who ran out of fear.
“My neighbors witnessed two agents chasing one guy down the street in a residential area, guns drawn,” Fischer said. “A roofer running for his life.”
Fischer said a photo was captured of the roofer after he was detained at gunpoint.
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He says five of the six crew members were taken into custody and the one that remained hid up on the roof.
Fischer later learned from the owner of the company that all five of the detained workers were documented.
“These are everyday people just trying to earn a livelihood, and this situation negatively impacts us as homeowners,” Fischer stated. “This wasn’t a business or factory raid; it was my home surrounded by armed agents. I have kids, and I don’t want that environment here. There was no justification for such actions.”
ABC7 has reached out to ICE multiple times, but have not received a reply.
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