‘ICE turned my workplace into a place of terror’: Seattle federal building workers picket ICE raids

Union workers are speaking up against immigration enforcement at the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building in downtown Seattle.

Federal employees held a picket outside the federal building Wednesday, demanding an end to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and arrests in workplaces, according to a post by SPEAA IFPTE Local 2001. Employees said the arrests have created unsafe working conditions.

“I’ve been very disturbed to see my workplace turned into a war zone by ICE,” Caroline McConnell, who works at the federal building, told KIRO Newsradio. “I, as a federal employee, serve the public all the time in this building, and a federal building is supposed to be a safe place where the people can come and receive services and be treated with respect. It should not be a place of terror, but ICE has turned my workplace into a place of terror.”

Seattle federal building employees allege ICE harassment at work

McConnell said she and her coworkers risk getting pepper-sprayed as they come and go from work. Employees also reported being shoved by ICE agents, intimidated, harassed, and being followed by agents and stared down, according to the union’s post.

“No one’s workplace should be like that, certainly not a federal workplace that serves the people,” McConnell said.

McConnell added that she fears being detained for trying to do her job.

“It’s terrifying to think that you could be seized at any moment by an ICE agent or anyone that you are trying to help and serve,” she said. “We’re public servants. We take an oath to uphold the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and we take that very seriously.”

Seattle is joining union pickets in New York and Chicago.

ICE responded “no comment” when contacted by KIRO Newsradio.

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