According to a 25-year-old woman who was too afraid to give her name, ICE agents knocked on her door Thursday morning, looking for children who the agents said were living in the U.S. illegally.
“When I come outside, I see a lot of people two men, they asked me, they are looking for children … I’m very scared," the woman said.
Deputy Speaker of the New York State Assembly Phil Ramos said the agents had the wrong home.
The woman said she is under temporary protected status, and she and her relatives are living in Brentwood legally.
“I spoke to the family today. Of course, they are traumatized but they are legal in this country. It is a Haitian family, protected status and they followed all the legal process,” said Ramos.
According to Ramos, his office has been flooded with phone calls from residents, ever since President Donald Trump announced a crackdown on illegal immigration and birthright citizenship.
News 12 spoke with a local pastor over the phone, who lives on the block where the raid happened.
He said he questioned the ICE agents himself.
“They had a white piece of paper in their hand. they said we’re just doing a random check, which I know that was a lie because they were coming to pick up immigrants,” said Thomas L. Wilson, of Brentwood.
Earlier on Friday, when Suffolk County officials were asked for a comment about the raid in Brentwood, they said the Suffolk County Police Department and sheriffs’ office said they were not involved.
News 12 reached out to officials at ICE for a comment but has not received a response.
On Saturday at 10 a.m., Ramos and community leaders will hold a virtual public ‘Know Your Rights’ forum on Assemblyman Phil Ramos’ Facebook page.
There will be a Q&A for residents.