OMAHA, Neb. (NewsNation) — Omaha’s newly inaugurated mayor says he “doesn’t know” why the city was targeted by federal immigration officials which resulted in the arrests of more than 100 people.
Mayor John Ewing Jr., a Democrat who was sworn into office on Monday, said his team is still working to get more details on the status of those arrested in Nebraska’s largest workplace operation under President Trump.
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer told reporters Wednesday that his department did not assist federal agents in the raid. He said Omaha Police officers seen at the site of the raid were there to provide traffic control.
He expressed concern that undocumented residents would not report crime if they’re concerned that local police are acting as immigration enforcement.
“We weren’t part of the aiding function of this. As far as planning of the raid, as far as knowledge of the operation, anything of that nature … the Omaha Police Department did not have a role in that,” said Schmaderer. “I can assure the public that the Omaha Police Department will not be involved in checking immigration status in our community. I need (crime) victims to come forward. They will not come forward if they’re fearful of the Omaha Police Department being immigration officers.”
Ewing called on Congress to develop a “comprehensive immigration policy.”
“Right now, what is happening across the country is a lot of fear is being created,” he said. “We don’t have an understandable approach to immigration, especially when it comes to our Latino members of this country.”
Out of the 107 people who were targeted in the raid, 70 were detained after ICE determined their status.
The raid happened around 9 a.m. at Glenn Valley Foods in south Omaha, an area where nearly a quarter of residents are foreign-born according to the 2020 census.
A small group of people came out to protest the raid, and some of them even jumped on the front bumper of a vehicle to try to stop officers in one location while others threw rocks at officials’ vehicles as a white bus carrying workers pulled away from a plant.
Many workers attempted to avoid arrest by hiding in building rafters and walk-in freezers with subzero temperatures, prompting EMTs to respond and check individuals for health and safety concerns, according to federal agents on scene.
The operation comes amid nationwide protests over immigration enforcement, particularly in Los Angeles, where similar workplace raids last week triggered demonstrations that prompted Trump to deploy National Guard troops.
Glenn Valley Foods owner Gary Rohwer said he used the federal E-Verify system to check workers’ eligibility but was deceived by employees using stolen identities of U.S. citizens, which allowed them to pass background checks.
The operation is part of the Trump administration’s renewed focus on workplace enforcement as part of broader immigration crackdowns. Such operations have become flashpoints for protests, with critics arguing they separate families and damage communities while supporters say they’re necessary to enforce immigration law and protect American workers.
NewsNation’s Ali Bradley contributed to this report.