Federal Agents Deployed to Minneapolis Airport Amid ICE Raids, Leaving Workers in Fear
More than a dozen airport employees have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the job, sparking concerns over safety and security. The detentions have left workers in fear, with some choosing not to leave their homes due to the ongoing enforcement.
According to union representatives, the detentions occurred while workers were passing through security checkpoints at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. In some cases, employees were stopped by agents wearing plain clothes without identifying badges, adding to concerns about transparency and accountability.
The Unite Here Local 17 union, which represents over 1,600 airport concession and in-flight catering workers, claims that these individuals have undergone rigorous federal background checks, including those conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). However, despite passing these tests, some workers were still taken into custody.
"It seems clear that they came through the TSA line and then were quickly detained by ICE or Border Patrol on the back end of security and then just taken away," said Wade Luneburg, a union representative. "I can confirm we have workers who have passed 10-year background checks with TSA, so federal background checks that authorize them to work in that secure environment, that after they've passed through that security area, they've been taken away."
The ongoing ICE enforcement has led to increased anxiety among airport employees, with some choosing not to report to work due to fears about their safety. This could have a ripple effect on travelers, as staffing levels at concessionaires are already being impacted.
"It's keeping people at home, they're fearful of leaving their homes, they're fearful of the back and forth to work," Luneburg stated. The lack of clarity around ICE's operations at the airport has left many workers feeling uncertain about their future.
A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security has yet to respond to inquiries regarding their activities at MSP Airport.
More than a dozen airport employees have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the job, sparking concerns over safety and security. The detentions have left workers in fear, with some choosing not to leave their homes due to the ongoing enforcement.
According to union representatives, the detentions occurred while workers were passing through security checkpoints at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. In some cases, employees were stopped by agents wearing plain clothes without identifying badges, adding to concerns about transparency and accountability.
The Unite Here Local 17 union, which represents over 1,600 airport concession and in-flight catering workers, claims that these individuals have undergone rigorous federal background checks, including those conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). However, despite passing these tests, some workers were still taken into custody.
"It seems clear that they came through the TSA line and then were quickly detained by ICE or Border Patrol on the back end of security and then just taken away," said Wade Luneburg, a union representative. "I can confirm we have workers who have passed 10-year background checks with TSA, so federal background checks that authorize them to work in that secure environment, that after they've passed through that security area, they've been taken away."
The ongoing ICE enforcement has led to increased anxiety among airport employees, with some choosing not to report to work due to fears about their safety. This could have a ripple effect on travelers, as staffing levels at concessionaires are already being impacted.
"It's keeping people at home, they're fearful of leaving their homes, they're fearful of the back and forth to work," Luneburg stated. The lack of clarity around ICE's operations at the airport has left many workers feeling uncertain about their future.
A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security has yet to respond to inquiries regarding their activities at MSP Airport.
! I'm so worried about those airport employees who got detained by ICE on the job. Like, they've already passed the most rigorous background checks possible and still get taken away? That's some serious red tape 
. And now workers are choosing not to come to work due to fear? It's like, what's next? 
Travelers are gonna be stuck with skeleton crews at concessionaires? No thanks! We need more transparency and accountability from ICE, ASAP 
. Can't believe the lack of response from DHS 
.
i mean, who needs that kind of stress in their life? and now some ppl r avoiding work altogether bc of these raids...that's not exactly good for the economy or travel 
️. gotta wonder what's gonna happen next...are we gonna see a line outside airport security checkpoints made up of union reps holding signs saying "we're still here" 
. hope someone from DHS pipes up soon, 'cause this whole thing is just a big mystery 
.
I'm really worried about what's going on with those airport employees in Minneapolis. It's crazy that they can just get taken away like that, even after passing all these background checks 
. I mean, who needs a reason to be detained just for showing up to work? 
. Now, they're having to live in fear of going to their jobs because of ICE raids 
. It's really not fair to them or the airport staff who have nothing to do with immigration issues 
.
. The lack of transparency and accountability is wild 
. I mean, what even is going on here? Federal background checks are supposed to be rigorous, right? So how did these workers get detained anyway? It's like they're being treated like criminals instead of employees 
. This is a total concern for airport safety and security 
#ICEraids #AirportSecurity #LaborRights #TransparencyMatters
These workers are already stressing enough trying to make ends meet, last thing they need is ICE breathing down their necks.
. And now the whole airport is on edge because of it. I feel for these workers, they're just trying to do their jobs, not cause any trouble.
. When are we gonna get some real answers from our government? Like, what's going on here and why can't they just leave people alone? 
.
. i'm literally shaking thinking about this... 
what's goin on with ICE?! do we need to start boycotting airports or somethin'?! 
. I mean, if you've passed a federal background check with TSA, shouldn't that be enough? 
.
These workers are just trying to make a living and provide for their families, but the fear of being targeted by ICE is keeping them at home. It's heartbreaking 
.
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, but somehow they still get detained by ICE or Border Patrol after clearing security 