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ICE raids four Cranberry Township businesses

Immigration officials visited three Mexican restaurants and one apartment complex in Cranberry Township the week of Jan. 26, according to a district judge’s office.

Emiliano’s Mexican Restaurant, Patron Mexican Grill, Tepache Mexican Grill & Bar, and Laurelwood Apartments and Townhomes were visited by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, during the week, according to District Judge Kevin Flaherty’s office.

The staffers could not confirm when the raids took place or if anyone was detained.

A witness also said they saw immigration officials waiting outside an entrance to an apartment in the Laurelwood complex around 11:40 a.m. Sunday in Cranberry Township. The witness is a resident of the complex and declined to be named out of fear of retaliation.

According to the witness, the officers — wearing vests labeled “ERO” and “special agent” — reportedly waited for about 15 minutes before taking photographs of various cars and license plates then leaving in an unmarked vehicle.

ERO stands for Enforcement and Removal Operations and is a part of ICE, which has a Pittsburgh office. The office did not respond to attempts to reach personnel for comment.

A spokesperson from the apartment complex declined to comment.

Reports of raids on Emiliano’s Mexican Restaurant spread on social media Saturday, but a manager could not confirm immigration officials visited.

A site manager at Patron Mexican Grill’s Wexford location said he was at the Cranberry location Saturday and did not see any immigration officials. A Tepache Mexican Grill & Bar manager also said he did not see any immigration officials during the week.

Butler County Sheriff Mike Slupe said he hasn’t heard any official reports of immigration officials in the area.

“It sounds like they’re doing their job. If they need our assistance, we’re happy to help,” he said.

Butler County Prison Warden Beau Sneddon said no ICE agents have been spotted at the prison.

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