A Japanese restaurant on the Northwest Side said on social media that three of its workers were arrested by U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents Wednesday morning.
Hiro Ramen & Tea, 4800 Sawmill Road, released a statement Thursday morning saying ICE agents approached employees in the restaurant鈥檚 parking lot.
The restaurant clarified that while the parking lot is its property, it is considered a public area, which allowed ICE agents to question and detain employees without a warrant.
鈥淭hey were not inside the shop,鈥� the statement read, 鈥渁nd we certainly did not open the doors for ICE.鈥�
The statement released also refuted rumors spread online that the restaurant called ICE on their own employees.
鈥淭hese are hardworking people who have spent the past years working side by side creating Hiro with day in and day out and we would have absolutely no reason, nor any desire, to call ICE on them or another person, ever,鈥� the statement said.
The restaurant also expressed fear over the arrests, referencing increased ICE arrests and raids nationwide, describing them as 鈥渁 reality that has hit too close to home.鈥�
In a brief statement to 星空无限传媒, Hiro Ramen & Tea wrote, 鈥淥ur entire staff at Hiro wants to thank everyone for the outpouring of kindness and support as a result of what transpired yesterday morning.鈥�
ICE's Detroit office on Friday confirmed the three arrests. ICE said in a statement that none of the three had lawful status to remain or work in the United States.
Additionally, there are aspects of Hiro Ramen鈥檚 public statement that raise further questions about their alleged employment practices.
