NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 16 individuals on Feb. 26 during an unannounced worksite enforcement operation at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)-bonded warehouse in North Bergen, New Jersey. The operation, conducted alongside the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, aimed to ensure compliance with U.S. employment and customs regulations.
The arrested individuals were found to be working in the facility without legal authorization and were placed under administrative arrest.
ICE officials emphasized that the enforcement effort was part of a broader strategy to protect the integrity of U.S. trade infrastructure and national security.
“This operation underscores HSI’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the integrity of our trade infrastructure,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel.
The inspection also examined whether imported goods were properly secured and detected any unauthorized access to bonded areas.
ICE continues to use worksite enforcement operations to address illegal employment, document fraud, and other related crimes.