Executive Summary
- Federal officials confirmed a chemical agent was used during a raid at a home in Harlingen, Texas.
- The U.S. Marshals Service stated its agents were on site in a support role but did not deploy the agent.
- Agents from Homeland Security Investigations (ICE) were also present during the operation.
- Three construction workers were reportedly forced from a room after the chemical agent was deployed.
HARLINGEN, Texas – Federal authorities have confirmed that a chemical agent was utilized during a multi-agency raid on a residence in Harlingen, Texas, on Friday morning. The U.S. Marshals Service verified the use of the agent but clarified its role in the operation.
According to a source within the U.S. Marshals Service, their agents were present in a supporting capacity and did not deploy the chemical agent. Personnel identified as being from both the U.S. Marshals and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), were observed at the scene near Stuart Place Road.
The deployment of the agent reportedly forced three construction workers, who had taken shelter in a bedroom, to exit the room. Marco Aleman, the superintendent for the construction site, stated that he had not previously witnessed such a tactic in other immigration enforcement raids he has observed.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been contacted for comment regarding the operation and the specific agent used, but had not provided a response at the time of publication. The specific purpose of the raid and the status of the individuals involved have not yet been disclosed by officials.