In a demonstration that immigration enforcement remains active beyond the U.S. border, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations Hartford and IRS Criminal Investigations conducted a random worksite enforcement outreach at D‑Hand Car Wash on June 9.
Four Guatemalan nationals were administratively arrested for being in the U.S. without authorization, sending a strong message to both workers and employers in sanctuary‑friendly states.
“Ensuring compliance with federal employment laws is crucial to maintaining a fair and competitive business environment,” said HSI New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. “Businesses, such as D‑Hand, that employ unauthorized workers not only undermine the integrity of our immigration system but also gain an unfair advantage over law‑abiding companies. HSI is committed to identifying and addressing these violations to protect both the legal workforce and honest businesses.”
This administrative action is notable for its focus on illegal employment, not criminal violence, making it a clean enforcement story but one with significant policy implications. The detainees are now in ICE custody and will undergo removal proceedings.
While federal worksite enforcement has been vastly scaled back nationwide, this operation underscores that ICE remains vigilant, even in sanctuary‑leaning jurisdictions. It pressures employers to avoid illegal hires and invalidates the idea that local policies can fully shield them from federal scrutiny.
Federal enforcement officials stress that targeting unauthorized employment is critical to preserving fairness for American workers and supporting businesses that follow the law. Critics argue such actions harm immigrant communities, but supporters maintain the focus is on system integrity and employer accountability.
Although modest in scale, the Southington operation acts as a deterrent—a warning that hiring undocumented labor carries real consequences. It also reinforces a conservative narrative: respecting the rule of law and protecting lawful businesses and workers.
As policy debates around immigration and local cooperation continue, ICE’s actions this week make clear that interior enforcement is far from dormant. The agency says it remains dedicated to upholding federal employment laws and holding employers and illegal workers accountable.
