ICE Agents Remain Present In Madison After Weekend Of Detentions

(WPR)----Federal Immigration, Customs and Enforcement agents were seen along Madison's East Washington Avenue corridor Tuesday afternoon.

Channel 3000 reports ICE officials were at businesses on Madison's east side, but their visit was not related to "deportation activities."

Still, Madison East High School took precautions by advising students who may be at risk of deportation to remain inside the building.

During the school day, principal Michael Hernandez made an announcement telling students and staff that ICE agents were in the area, and reiterated that the school is a safe space for all students, including those living in the country without legal permission.

The reports came after a weekend of arrests in Wisconsin by ICE agents in which nearly 30 people were detained.

Around 80 employees at a meat packing plant near Wausau didn't show up to work Monday after the series of arrests.

A human resources manager at Abbyland Foods in Abbotsford confirmed the absences to a Wausau TV station but said the company wasn't sure if the absences were related to more than 30 arrests made by ICE.

Tony Gonzalez, director of EAG Interpreters Hispanic Outreach in the Wausau area, said people are afraid.

"The impact has been palpable," Gonzalez said. "Workers did not come back to work, they were afraid, even people that have a legal status in the country, because of their fear of being profiled as Hispanics and just arbitrarily taken away. So, that fear exists big time."

In response to ICE arrests, some Madison businesses chose to close their businesses.

Tipsy Cow, a restaurant near the city's Capitol building, posted a sign in their window Monday that read: "Tipsy Cow will be closed today due to the current pressure on the Latino community. We will reopen as soon as we can. We are sorry for any inconvenience."

Editor's note: This story was last updated at 2:58 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018 with information on Abbyland Foods.

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