EVERETT, Wash. — An immigration enforcement operation in a North Everett neighborhood Monday has drawn criticism and questions from residents who witnessed federal agents detain a man while he was doing yard work at a home.
Several neighbors recorded video of the detention near Fifth Street in North Everett. The videos show multiple agents taking a man into custody as bystanders questioned them about the arrest.
Homeowner Jennifer Gordon said the man had been working for Tommy Builders and had been doing work at her home for about a week before he was detained.
Video recorded by Gordon captured the man repeatedly calling for help as agents arrested him.
Neighbors who witnessed the incident said they were troubled by the manner of the arrest and questioned whether agents properly identified themselves.
Gordon said she asked agents whether they had a warrant signed by a judge. In the video recorded during the incident, an agent responded by asking whether police arrest everyone with a judicial warrant.
Another exchange captured on video shows Gordon asking whether she could see the warrant.
“I don’t have to show it to you,” one of the agents in the video replied.
Joe, who lives across the street and witnessed the arrest, said he saw six to eight agents detaining the worker.
“I noticed a bunch of cars here,” Joe said. “Took a look and there was 6 to 8 ICE agents detaining a man who had been working in my neighbor’s yard.”
Joe said that after the arrest, an agent told him the man was being arrested in connection with a murder allegation in his native country.
KIRO 7 asked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement whether it could confirm that information or provide details about the detention. An ICE spokesperson initially said the agency couldn’t provide information without the person’s name.
KIRO7 provided the location of the detention, the spokesperson declined to release additional details, citing privacy concerns and saying the agency does not proactively provide the names of people who have been detained.
As neighbors wait for more information from ICE, some say the incident has left them shaken.
“It’s upsetting,” Joe said. “I was glad the man wasn’t beaten or nothing.”
He added that he never expected to witness such an event in his neighborhood.
KIRO 7 also contacted Tommy Builders to ask whether the company was aware of the detention and whether it could provide additional information. A response had not been received as of publication time.
This story will be updated if ICE or Tommy Builders provides additional information about the detention.