ICE Raid at Fresh Mark: 146 Arrested for Immigration Violations in Ohio

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Key Takeaways

ICE conducted a major raid at Fresh Mark in 2018, arresting 146 workers for immigration violations and using stolen identities.
The operation followed a year-long investigation into unauthorized employment, targeting multiple Fresh Mark facilities in Ohio.
Critics emphasized social and economic harm, while Fresh Mark faced legal repercussions and a $3.7M fine for identity-related violations.

On June 19, 2018, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out one of its largest immigration operations under the Trump administration, targeting Fresh Mark’s meat processing plant in Salem, Ohio 🇺🇸. By the end of the day, 146 workers had been arrested for immigration violations in what officials described as a critical step in addressing illegal employment practices. These arrests came after a year-long investigation by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit, which focused on claims that Fresh Mark may have knowingly hired individuals without legal authorization to work in the United States and that many were using stolen identities.

How the Raid Unfolded

ICE Raid at Fresh Mark: 146 Arrested for Immigration Violations in Ohio

The operation began at about 4 p.m. at Fresh Mark’s Salem facility, located at 1735 S. Lincoln Avenue. Agents from HSI, accompanied by other local and federal law enforcement agencies, arrived at the scene. Helicopters hovered above the area, while buses waited nearby to transport detainees. Workers were detained in the parking lot, and the facility was sealed off, with no one able to leave or enter during the raid. While Salem was the focal point of the operation, federal criminal search warrants were executed at three other Fresh Mark locations: one in Canton and two in Massillon.

The Salem plant, one of Columbiana County’s largest employers with an estimated workforce of 500 to 1,000 people, saw the vast majority of arrests during the operation. Witnesses described a heavy sense of fear and uncertainty as the raid unfolded. ICE officials noted that their actions were not random but were part of a detailed investigation into Fresh Mark’s hiring practices. Evidence suggested that workers at the plant were using fraudulent identification documents belonging to U.S. citizens, raising concerns about identity theft.

Broader Context of Immigration Violations

This raid was part of a larger crackdown on immigration violations in Ohio 🇺🇸. Just two weeks before this operation at Fresh Mark, ICE had conducted a similar raid at a landscaping company in the state, arresting 114 people for working without proper authorization. In both cases, ICE claimed that these actions were necessary to enforce immigration laws and address the broader issue of undocumented individuals entering the U.S. to seek work.

Steve Francis, the HSI special agent in charge for Michigan and Ohio, stated that operations like the one at Fresh Mark highlight how unauthorized employment practices serve as a “pull factor” for illegal immigration. He described this as one of the largest workplace enforcement actions of the administration, underscoring ICE’s ongoing efforts to ensure businesses comply with federal hiring regulations.

However, ICE also stressed its policy of prosecutorial discretion, particularly for cases involving humanitarian concerns. During the Fresh Mark operation, some individuals were released on the same day due to health issues or family-related needs. Still, most of the 146 arrested workers were transported to processing facilities in Ohio and Michigan, where they faced removal proceedings.

Fresh Mark’s Response

As a well-known supplier of products such as bacon, ham, and hot dogs under its Sugardale and Superior brands, Fresh Mark quickly found itself under public scrutiny. Brittany Julian, the company’s director of corporate communications, released a short statement acknowledging the presence of HSI agents at the Salem, Massillon, and Canton facilities and referred further questions to the Department of Homeland Security. No additional comment was provided, leaving many questions unanswered for the community and employees caught up in the situation.

Interestingly, Fresh Mark was a participant in ICE’s IMAGE program, which stands for ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers. This voluntary program aims to assist employers in maintaining a lawful workforce by providing education and tools for compliance. Despite its membership in the program, ICE clarified that IMAGE participation does not shield companies from investigations or enforcement actions if violations are suspected.

Community Concerns and Criticism

The raid at Fresh Mark stirred debates among immigration lawyers, community advocates, and locals. Concerns were raised about the targeting of workers, many of whom were seen as trying to provide for their families. David Leopold, a noted immigration attorney, criticized the operation, calling it a misguided use of resources that failed to focus on criminals or national security threats. Instead, he argued that it caused harm to families and communities dependent on these workers.

The operation also highlighted broader economic and social implications. The raid disrupted a major employer in the region, potentially affecting the local economy. Moreover, critics questioned the effectiveness of workplace raids as a strategy for addressing undocumented immigration, given the deep complexities of immigration policy and the dependency of certain industries on foreign labor.

To help impacted families, ICE set up a 24-hour toll-free detainee locator hotline in both English and Spanish. This service provided information on the status of detainees and answered questions about the removal process. While useful, many advocates argued that such measures did little to offset the lasting emotional and financial hardships caused by these raids.

Legal Developments and Fresh Mark’s Accountability

In a development that unfolded years after the raid, Fresh Mark agreed to a non-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice on January 2, 2025. As part of this agreement, the company paid $3,719,997 in fines and agreed to abide by enhanced reporting requirements for two years. It was revealed that during the period between 2013 and 2018, Yelwin Omar Munoz-Solis, the hiring manager for the Salem facility, had engaged in an identity theft scheme. He provided stolen Social Security numbers and other identification documents belonging to U.S. citizens to job applicants.

Munoz-Solis used these false documents to certify I-9 forms, which are official employment eligibility verification documents required for all U.S. workers. The investigation concluded that some of the 146 workers detained in the 2018 raid had been employed under stolen identities. Approximately 30 of those arrested faced formal federal charges for immigration violations.

Broader Implications for Immigration Policy

This case underscores the entrenched challenges surrounding immigration enforcement, business compliance, and workforce needs. The Fresh Mark raid highlights how some businesses either knowingly or unknowingly employ unauthorized individuals, sparking legal liability and policy questions. For immigration authorities, these raids are presented as necessary to combat fraud and ensure compliance. For workers, however, they often lead to devastating consequences, leaving families separated and communities fractured.

As part of ICE’s broader enforcement strategy, operations like these send a clear message to employers about the importance of adhering to federal hiring laws. However, they also raise ethical and practical questions about how best to balance enforcement with humanitarian considerations. Critics argue that such measures fail to address the root causes of unauthorized immigration, such as the demand for low-cost labor in industries like meat processing.

In conclusion, the ICE raid at Fresh Mark’s Ohio facilities was a pivotal moment in immigration enforcement during 2018. The arrests of 146 workers, the legal fallout for the company, and the ensuing debates about employer compliance and immigration policy continue to serve as a reminder of the complexities embedded in this issue. As reported by VisaVerge.com, immigration enforcement remains a contentious topic, with far-reaching effects on businesses, workers, and communities alike. For more information on ICE policies and programs like IMAGE, visit the official ICE website at ICE IMAGE Program.

ICE arrests 146 in major Ohio workplace raid

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 146 workers during a June 2018 raid at Fresh Mark’s Salem, Ohio facility, targeting immigration violations. The raid was part of a year-long investigation into hiring practices and involved federal criminal search warrants at four Fresh Mark locations.

Why it matters:
This was the largest workplace enforcement under the Trump administration, reflecting a broader crackdown on illegal employment practices and the use of fraudulent identification by undocumented workers.

The big picture:
– Fresh Mark, a major supplier of meat products, had been under investigation for allegedly hiring undocumented workers, some using stolen identities.
– ICE stated that unlawful hiring practices incentivize unauthorized immigration.
– The raid followed a similar ICE operation just weeks earlier in Ohio that detained 114 individuals at a landscaping company.

By the numbers:
– 146 individuals were detained during the Salem plant raid, one of Columbiana County’s largest employers.
– Fresh Mark later agreed to a $3.7M penalty in a 2025 non-prosecution agreement with the Department of Justice after further investigations.
– Approximately 30 workers were ultimately charged with federal immigration violations.

What they’re saying:
– Steve Francis, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations chief for Michigan and Ohio, called it a “significant” operation aimed at addressing illegal hiring practices.
– Immigration attorney David Leopold argued ICE should focus on felons and national security risks rather than targeting workers.

Between the lines:
Fresh Mark’s participation in ICE’s IMAGE program (a workforce compliance partnership) came under scrutiny. While IMAGE promotes lawful hiring practices, officials clarified this does not protect companies from prosecution.

State of play:
– Witnesses described a heavy law enforcement presence, with helicopters and buses during the raid.
– Some detained workers were released the same day, based on health or family considerations, under ICE’s policy of prosecutorial discretion.
– Most detainees were held in Ohio and Michigan facilities pending removal proceedings.

Yes, but:
While the operation showcased a robust law enforcement approach, it reignited concerns about the impact of raids on communities, families, and local economies.

The bottom line:
The Fresh Mark raid underscores the challenges of balancing immigration enforcement with the social and economic fallout on communities. It also highlights the stakes for businesses failing to comply with immigration laws.

Learn Today

ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement): A federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and handling issues related to border security.
IMAGE (ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers): A voluntary program assisting employers in ensuring workforce compliance with immigration-related hiring laws.
I-9 Form: Official documentation used in the U.S. for verifying the identity and employment authorization of all workers.
Identity Theft: The fraudulent use of someone else’s personal information, such as Social Security numbers, for financial or employment purposes.
Non-Prosecution Agreement: A legal agreement where an entity avoids prosecution by cooperating, paying fines, or meeting specific conditions.

This Article in a Nutshell

The 2018 ICE raid at Fresh Mark’s Ohio plant, arresting 146 workers, highlighted complex immigration challenges. Despite Fresh Mark’s participation in compliance programs, investigations revealed stolen identities and unauthorized hires. This controversial raid underscored the tension between enforcing laws, protecting workers, and addressing industries’ reliance on undocumented labor—sparking crucial debates on immigration policy reform.
— By VisaVerge.com