A roofing project in Maryland has sparked widespread outrage after a homeowner allegedly reported six Guatemalan workers to immigration authorities as they were working on the project, with video of the detention widely circulated online. The incident, which was live-streamed and later deleted, prompted scrutiny not only of the video’s content but also of the workers’ reported detentions.
Livestream shows ICE agents detaining workers on rooftops
The incident was captured live on air by co-worker Bryan Polanco, who multiple reports say is a Dominican national with permanent U.S. residency and a member of the same roof repair crew. This video was originally posted on Instagram The video, which lasted about 30 minutes, has since been deleted but is still circulating on social media platforms. In the video, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents can be seen arriving at the property and instructing workers on the roof to come down. A woman, believed to be the homeowner, can be seen in part of the video watching the events unfold. Polanco can be heard calmly asserting his right to be filmed while cooperating with police. “I have every right to record,” he told an agent. “I didn’t do anything wrong.” He also narrated the unfolding events during the live broadcast. “We’re getting to work and immigrants are showing up,” he said. “The truth is, they’re hurting working people, people who are doing good things for the country.”He added: “They are not going after criminals on the streets, they are going after drug addicts, they are going after people who are working.” Six workers aged between 18 and 40 who traveled from Glen Burnie were reportedly detained. Polanco was not detained. As agents left with the workers, the crew’s van remained at the scene, with the doors reportedly open and thousands of dollars worth of tools inside.
Allegations say the call took place mid-project
According to Polanco, the homeowner contacted immigration authorities after the work began. “We actually have a project that’s going to start today… and when they start work, the homeowners call it immigration,” he told Spanish-language broadcaster United Vision. He also claimed the homeowners had made their position clear regarding future work. “What she told me, and what I tell others, is that if immigrants come back again to complete the program, she will always call ICE.”
Photo credit: @elsalvadordeantes/Instagram
Towards the end of the live broadcast, Polanco turned the camera towards the house and pointed out the woman outside. “That’s the same woman,” he said. “We’re here to fix this lady’s house, she’s the one who reported us. Cleaning up the house but still harboring hatred in my heart. “ Some reports and online comments suggest the call may have been made near the completion of the work, allegedly to avoid paying a bill of approximately $10,000.
The video spread online, and family members spoke out
Polanco later described the experience in an interview way outsaid it had a strong emotional impact. “Seeing it is not the same as experiencing it. I’ve seen a lot of videos and unfortunately today I had to experience it, and I feel like it’s something that really moves you,” he said. He added: “I feel very sad about this situation…many Latinos in the United States feel persecuted. We leave our homes and don’t know if we will ever come back.” Family members of detainees also spoke of the pain. “I feel very sad and despair for my husband… We are here to succeed, not to do evil,” said the wife of one of the workers, adding that she was five months pregnant and had two children at home.
Legal questions raised about homeowners’ conduct
The incident has prompted legal scrutiny. Aaron Reichlin-Melnyk, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, said that if the charges are true, the homeowners may have acted under Maryland law, which prohibits the use of immigration threats to obtain labor or evade payments. he quoted Maryland Penal Code Section 3-701, prohibits the use of threats involving immigration enforcement to obtain services. If proven, such conduct could constitute a felony.
Photo credit: @ReichlinMelnick/X
As of Thursday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had not commented publicly on the matter. The homeowner has not been identified and no charges have been released.
Online reactions and unanswered questions
The video has been viewed millions of times across platforms, sparking outrage and debate. Some social media users called for legal action against the homeowners. “This is pure evil,” one user wrote. Another added: “I would be happy if they could charge her with knowingly hiring immigrant workers.” Others questioned whether she would face consequences for hiring such workers. The roofing company involved has not commented publicly.
