US Woman Accused of Reporting Immigration Status to Avoid $130,000 Roof Repair Bill

Immigration Controversy Erupts in Maryland

A viral video has sparked widespread outrage in the US state of Maryland after a group of roofing workers were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at a residential property near Cambridge. The footage, which has been viewed millions of times across social media platforms, shows ICE agents surrounding the property and instructing workers to come down from the roof.

According to the video, which was filmed by Bryan Polanco, a roofer and legal US resident, the workers were from Guatemalan origin and aged between 18 and 40. Polanco alleges that the homeowner, Karen Trevino, waited until the job was almost finished before contacting immigration officials, leaving the crew with an outstanding bill of $10,000 (around Rs 9.4 lakh).

The job had lasted several days, with tools and a company vehicle left at the site after the arrests. Polanco was not taken into custody, but six workers were detained.

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Karen Trevino, the woman at the centre of the controversy, has denied calling ICE and claims that the allegations have led to harassment and threats against her and her family. She told The Baltimore Sun that the workers were subcontractors hired by her father and not directly employed by her.

However, ICE has disputed the viral narrative, stating that the detentions were part of a targeted enforcement operation and not the result of a tip from a homeowner. The agency said that several of those arrested had final orders of removal, and one had a prior conviction for illegal re-entry.

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The incident has sparked intense backlash online, with many users accusing the homeowner of weaponising immigration enforcement and exploiting undocumented labour. Legal experts have noted that, under Maryland law, using threats of immigration enforcement to avoid paying for labour could constitute a felony, although no charges have been filed.