30 Pittsburgh businesses temporarily close to protect people from ICE raids, sources say

PITTSBURGH — Immigration raids are playing out across the country, days after President Trump promised to crack down on illegal immigration.

Sources tell us that raids have already happened right here in Pittsburgh.

The sources say 30 local businesses closed temporarily to protect customers and employees from potential ICE raids.

>>> Members of Pittsburgh’s immigrant community react to ICE raids across the country

At least four businesses reported ICE on their property. And at two of those businesses sources say agents took employees in the parking lot as they were going into the building.

An immigration attorney also told Channel 11 that one of his clients was targeted while at a local Lowe’s store.

NBC News reports the DEA, the FBI, and a coalition of federal agencies are all involved in these operations. ICE is calling the raids “targeted enforcement operations” to signal that they’re working through a list of people who have been convicted of crimes.

However, in an interview with NBC News yesterday, the Border Czar acknowledged they’re making collateral arrests of undocumented immigrants who are found with people they’re targeting.

City officials told Channel 11 there is no evidence of ICE activity happening in the city limits.

Channel 11 reached out to the Allegheny County Police Department to see if federal agents requested their help in the Pittsburgh area with raids, and the superintendent told us no.

Channel 11 reached out to ICE about raids in the Pittsburgh area. Public Affairs Officer Jason Koontz said, “At this point, we do not have any further information to release. When we do, I will get back to you.”

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