By Darius Amiri, Rose Law Group partner and chair of the firm’s immigration law department:
This past Monday, federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security searched all 14 valley Zipps locations, asking patrons to leave, detaining some workers, and apparently seizing some computers and business equipment. When word got out about agents’ presence, many protesters quickly mobilized in order to voice their opposition. What’s important to note is that, while we have observed an increase in ICE’s presence in the valley recently, what happened at Zipps does not appear to be an ICE raid, randomly targeting a local business in order to cast an enforcement net or intimidate locals, but rather a coordinated move following a criminal investigation, and supported by a judicial warrant.
Given the outrage over the recent deaths of Rene Good and Alex Pretti, it is understandable that people would gather in opposition and exercise their First Amendment right to protest, at the same time, as an attorney and longtime Phoenix resident concerned about the safety of my community, I caution people to try and remain calm when engaging in such protests, avoid actions that may be deemed as impeding an investigation or interfering with a law enforcement operation. Stay safe out there!
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