After Reported ICE Spottings In Riverhead, Latino Advocacy Group Calls On Officials For Answers

RIVERHEAD, NY — There were new reports of ICE agents in Riverhead Monday morning — and the sightings led one Latino advocacy group to call on officials to weigh in.

According to photos circulating on social media Monday morning, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were seen at various locations around Riverhead, including outside Home Depot on Rt. 58.

"At this moment people are being rounded up in Riverhead," said Minerva Perez, executive director of the Latino advocacy organization OLA of Eastern Long Island. "The infamous white van is there. And it appears to be another random raid of Brown people. We are sending responders to document and to learn as much as possible. Thank you to the responders."

She added, "Taking random people off the streets without warrants is not constitutional."

ICE media representatives did not immediately return requests for comment.

While it was not immediately clear if the ICE action was targeted or how many people may have been detained, Perez said the incident spotlights a new sense of unease and uncertainty that's been spreading across the East End and beyond.

Speaking with Patch, Perez said it's believed that at least four people were taken. She also questioned why New York State Police appeared to be involved.

NYSP did not immediately return a request for comment.

Perez said it's possible that the enforcement action was a targeted effort at a house; she added that it appeared that ICE agents were rounding up individuals at locations including outside the Home Deport and an area deli.

Perez said she had no reason to believe Riverhead police were involved. However, she said, it is her mission to speak with Riverhead Town officials about how the actions took place — and what needs to be done to raise awareness.

"In addition, what followup and transparency should exist to understand these processes on behalf of the residents and townspeople of Riverhead," she said.

ICE raids in Hampton Bays and Westhampton, as well in Greenport and other areas of the East End, have sparked a series of protests in recent months.