Federal immigration authorities arrested 37 illegal aliens during a workplace raid at a roofing company in Bellingham, Washington—marking one of the largest enforcement actions of the year and a clear sign that immigration law is being taken seriously once again under the Trump administration.
The raid, carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), targeted Mt. Baker Roofing, a company suspected of employing individuals who used fake documents to obtain jobs unlawfully. The arrests were the result of an ongoing criminal investigation into fraudulent hiring practices and unauthorized employment.
ICE spokesman David Yost explained the significance of the operation. “This investigation uncovered numerous individuals who fraudulently represented their immigration status and submitted false documentation to gain employment,” he said. “This is not just a paperwork issue—this is about protecting jobs for legal workers and upholding the rule of law.”
Witnesses described the raid as fast and well-coordinated. According to longtime employee Tomas Fuerte, authorities entered the warehouse and directed workers into a room before making arrests. Two buses were used to transport the detained individuals, highlighting the scope of the operation.
Mt. Baker Roofing issued a statement confirming its cooperation with federal authorities, though details about the company’s own potential liability have not yet been disclosed.
This raid underscores a larger issue facing the United States—employers who look the other way while hiring illegal labor, undermining American workers and incentivizing border violations. An estimated 18.6 million illegal aliens currently reside in the country, many of whom obtain work using stolen or fraudulent identities. While politicians argue about border walls and asylum policies, workplace enforcement remains one of the most effective tools to combat illegal immigration at its source.
Critics of the status quo have long called for stronger deterrents, including mandatory nationwide implementation of E-Verify, a federal program that allows businesses to check whether job applicants are legally authorized to work in the United States. It’s fast, free, and effective—yet many states and employers still aren’t required to use it.
This latest operation sends a clear message: the days of looking the other way are over. The Trump administration has made it clear that it’s not just about border enforcement—it’s also about holding employers accountable and closing the loopholes that allow illegal immigration to flourish within U.S. communities.
The raid is part of a broader shift toward restoring law and order in America’s immigration system. While open-borders advocates continue to call for blanket amnesty and defunding ICE, everyday Americans—especially those in the trades and working-class sectors—understand the importance of protecting jobs and wages from illegal competition.
As the investigation continues, more actions like this are expected. Federal authorities are stepping up enforcement not only at the border but deep inside the country, where illegal labor remains a driving force behind mass immigration. For companies willing to cut corners and hire off the books, this is a wake-up call. For legal workers and law-abiding businesses, it’s long-overdue justice.