Freddy Potoy Rosales
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, in coordination with local police, conducted raids in Ambridge, Beaver County, resulting in the arrest of at least 10 people on July 31. The community responded with outrage and solidarity toward the Latino population.
Neighbors expressed shock and distress over the operation, describing scenes of terror as they witnessed the arrests unfold. Social media was quickly flooded with real-time reports and alerts.
Within minutes, a Rapid Response Team from Casa San José arrived on the scene to document what was happening. According to a statement from the organization, those detained—including two witnesses—were denied access to legal representation. Unmarked vehicles were reported, along with active collaboration between ICE and local authorities. Children were seen watching as their parents or loved ones were taken away.
“This was not public safety. It was a show of force intended to terrorize,” said Monica Ruiz, Executive Director of Casa San José. Community videos showed ICE agents and local police stopping cars and harassing individuals based solely on their appearance. One resident was reportedly threatened with arrest for reading his rights aloud.
Casa San José condemned the operation as a violation of human and civil rights and called on public officials to denounce local law enforcement’s cooperation with ICE. The organization urged community members to send any photo or video evidence to emergency@casasanjose.org and to join its Rapid Response Team. “We will not stand by while our families are hunted and terrorized,” the statement concluded.
Beaver County District Attorney Seeks to Clarify Operation
Beaver County District Attorney Nate Bible issued a statement on August 1 clarifying that the operation was coordinated by the Ambridge Police Department in conjunction with several county agencies. The goal, he said, was to apprehend individuals with outstanding arrest warrants and address ongoing criminal activity. While ICE agents were present, Bible emphasized that this was not an “ICE raid,” as federal agents operated independently of local authorities.
Bible stated, “Once an individual is arrested, local law enforcement has no control over what a federal agency does regarding the person’s immigration status. Some individuals were detained by ICE, but they had committed an underlying offense or traffic violation that triggered the immigration detainer.”
He also noted that no homes or businesses were raided, and that only individuals who had broken the law or had active warrants were detained.
Sisters of St. Joseph Speak Out
The Sisters of St. Joseph also issued a statement. That night, three members of the congregation joined approximately 50 community members in protest. They witnessed a man being separated from his family.
“These are human beings, made in the image of God, who deserve love, respect, and dignity,” said Sister Jean Uzupis. The Sisters condemned the inhumane treatment of immigrants and rejected false narratives that portray them as criminals. “We stand in solidarity with those who are suffering and will continue to speak out against injustice,” they stated.
