NEWARK, NJ (WPVI) -- In a move that has sparked widespread concern, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents apprehended three workers at a seafood depot in Newark, New Jersey, on Thursday. According to Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, ICE conducted a "raid" on the business, detaining individuals without producing a warrant.

The mayor's statement came in response to the ICE operation, which resulted in the detention of three individuals, including a U.S. military veteran. North Jersey Congresswoman LaMonica McIver alleged that ICE agents failed to provide justification or a warrant for the detentions, instead taking the workers into custody due to their inability to provide documentation.

The seafood depot owner corroborated this account, stating that ICE agents took the workers away because they lacked the necessary documentation. Mayor Baraka expressed outrage over the incident, particularly with regard to the treatment of the U.S. military veteran. According to the mayor, the veteran was subjected to the "indignity" of having his military documentation questioned.

In a strongly worded statement, Mayor Baraka denounced the ICE operation as a "plain violation" of the Fourth Amendment, which guarantees the right to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures. The mayor vowed to take action, stating, "Newark will not stand by idly while people are being unlawfully terrorized."

A press conference is scheduled to address the incident, with Mayor Baraka set to appear alongside partners committed to defending and protecting civil and human rights. Details of the conference are forthcoming.

In a post on X, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reported that a total of 538 arrests were made on Thursday. Sister station WABC reported that ICE also made arrests in New York, including the apprehension of an alleged MS-13 member on Wednesday.

In Massachusetts, WCVB reported that ICE conducted arrests in Chelsea and East Boston on Wednesday. Sources informed ABC News that the enforcement operations this week, following President Donald Trump's second inauguration, represent routine immigration raids that have been customary for ICE for years.

Gov. Maura Healey expressed support for the arrests of criminals, regardless of their immigration status. When asked about the ICE operations, Healey stated, "I wouldn't describe them as raids... What it seems to be, and what we expected and what I support, is the apprehension of criminals in our communities."

Democratic U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, both of New Jersey, issued a joint statement, saying, "Actions like this one sow fear in all of our communities, and our broken immigration system requires solutions, not fear tactics."

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