By Gabbie Burton
Contributing Writer

Three people were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the morning of Feb. 21 at Chavos Tires on Baltimore Pike in Kennett Square. The arrests caused a frenzy on local Facebook groups and left many members of the local community rattled.

In a statement released early Monday evening, the ICE Philadelphia Field Office stated that the three were arrested for immigration violations and that one of the detained has a “criminal history of driving under the influence and assault.”

Footage and posts made on the Facebook group ¿Que Pasa Kennett Square? show that the arrests were made around 9:45 a.m. at the tire shop, with one video showing a detainee in handcuffs being escorted by an agent. Agents then gathered in the McDonald’s parking lot at the New Garden Shopping Center before dispersing at about 11:40 a.m.

According to Chief Joe Greenwalt of the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department, the department was not informed of the arrests until after they had taken place. Without knowing the names of those arrested, Greenwalt could not confirm the criminal history of the detained individual but shared that the police department and ICE do not operate “hand-in-hand.” Greenwalt referred to the department’s new mission statement to clarify their purpose and work:

“The Southern Chester County Regional Police Department exists to preserve life and property, to enforce the law, to solve our community’s problems and protect the right of all to live, work and travel in a safe and peaceful environment.”

In a translated statement posted on the Chavos Tires Facebook page on Feb. 21, it read, “We are sad and worried about our workers who were taken by immigration today. We are asking God that they are well and doing everything possible to find out about them…without a doubt whatever their fate may be, we will be supporting them from here.”

Local immigration attorney Nancy Allyon-Ramirez confirmed that on Feb. 21 the detainees were on their way to Philadelphia to be processed through the system, but as of Feb. 24, she could not confirm their location.

On Feb. 24, Chavos Tires posted again on its Facebook page in further support of their workers and to thank the community.

“We want to inform all our clients first of all that he who owes nothing fears nothing!!!” the post read. “Thanks to the entire community who are currently giving us their support. We will be here fighting for these innocent people.”

The ICE statement released later that evening stated that the investigation began after the agency “received information the business was hiring illegal aliens and could be involved with labor exploitation,” and that the investigation into business operations is ongoing. The statement also read that the worksite operation was performed with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). 

The presence of ATF agents left some community members confused as to why that agency was taking part in an ICE operation. However, as of Jan. 23, the Department of Homeland Security has allowed DEA, ATF, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Federal Prisons to carry out the functions of ICE.

According to Allyon-Ramirez and Mayra Castillo, vice president of Casa Guanajuato -- a local non-profit aimed at preserving Hispanic culture -- there were up to 10 vehicles present at the tire shop during the arrest. Then, according to Castillo and immigration attorney Lindsey Sweet, there were reports of up to 23 vehicles present in the parking lot of the New Garden Shopping Center. Both the McDonald’s and neighboring Planet Fitness in the shopping center declined to comment on the presence or activities of the federal agents in the parking lot.

“This was a very large showing on the part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, pulling in other federal agencies and other federal agents in order to perform this operation,” Sweet said. “That's a lot of government resources to only detain three people, so in terms of use of government resources to effectuate their goals, that’s a lot of lost resources.”

The large federal presence in conjunction with social media fervor left several members of the community shaken, according to Allyon-Ramirez.

“Families are scared, and some families have even thought about not sending their kids to school,” she said. “For example, when ICE was in the area Friday, kids from the high school didn’t want to walk home.”

The impact of ICE presence in the community has been addressed by the Kennett Consolidated School District, who released a statement on Feb. 21 that briefly outlined protocol and offered support to students and families:

“We understand that any display of emergency enforcement in our community may be unsettling for our students and families. Please be assured that our teachers are monitoring students’ emotional well-being and will provide support as needed.”

Allyon-Ramirez recommended that concerned families ensure they have everything in order including having all documentation and paperwork ready, power of attorney established, knowing their emergency plans and knowing their rights.

ICE cannot enter a home or other private space without a judicial warrant or consent to enter. However, ICE does not need a warrant to make arrests in public spaces, such as at places of work. Additionally, both Allyon-Ramirez and Sweet recommended that individuals and families obtain legal advice as soon as possible, should a family member be detained by ICE.

Although the arrests and presence of ICE in the community have stressed some community members, there is a concerted effort coming from local leaders to continue educating individuals on their rights and to continue offering support and empathy.

“Our communities remain committed to following federal law which includes ensuring that everyone knows their rights under the U.S. Constitution – and that those rights are respected," said Cheryl Kuhn, president and CEO of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce. “Many of the families and individuals affected by ICE operations have made a life here—they are bound to our country and our laws – the same as you and I. There is a humane way for this process to take place. If ICE decision makers choose to listen, there can be a path to citizenship, and it can happen locally, in a caring, organized, and legal way.”

Castillo, an immigrant herself from Mexico, offered closing remarks to the community following the emotional turmoil of the weekend.

“The majority of the [immigrants] here in southern Chester County are not criminals. They’re here to work,” she said. “If people do commit a serious crime, sure, arrest those people who are committing a serious crime, but don’t go after innocent people just because they happen to have a Hispanic last name, just because of the assumption that people are here illegally and stealing jobs.”

To contact Contributing Writer Gabbie Burton, email [email protected].