ICE Conducts Raid At Meat Plant
The Department of Homeland Security reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and federal partners were assaulted Wednesday during a warrant execution at a meat-processing facility in Omaha, Nebraska.
The operation resulted in the detention of over 70 individuals identified as illegal immigrants, some with prior deportations, outstanding local warrants, or previous convictions, including DUIs.
According to ICE, a Honduran national brandished a weapon and assaulted agents during the raid. ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons stated the individual was not merely “out of status,” but a violent criminal posing a direct threat. Lyons emphasized the seriousness of the offense, calling it an attack on officers fulfilling their legal obligations to protect the public and combat identity fraud.
ICE indicated that many of those detained could face additional federal charges. These may include misuse of documents, Social Security fraud, resisting arrest, illegal reentry, and assaulting federal personnel.
ICE Homeland Security Investigations’ Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Mark Zito defended the operation, stating that agents regularly risk their lives in defense of public safety. He criticized public rhetoric that, in his view, undermines law enforcement credibility and safety. "These men and women swore an oath to uphold the law and should not have to fear the very people they are sworn to protect," Zito noted.
During the raid, public unrest intensified. Protesters reportedly threw rocks at ICE vehicles and blocked official transportation. ICE did not detail the nature of the physical assault against its agents.
Chad Hartmann, president of Glenn Valley Foods—one of the plants involved—expressed frustration with the situation. He stated the company uses the federal E-Verify system to confirm employment eligibility.
Hartmann said ICE officers told him the system is flawed. “This is your system, run by the government. And you're raiding me because your system is broken?” he told the Associated Press.
Douglas County Commissioner Roger Garcia acknowledged the community impact, saying coordination efforts were underway to support affected families. He cited the activation of legal aid teams and safe spaces for those displaced by the enforcement action.