Reported By: Gary Sinderson
Written By: Marc Stempka
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Federal, state and local agents raided several Centre region restaurants and homes Thursday, in what federal immigration officials are calling a targeted enforcement operation.
Throughout the State College area, Department of Homeland Security agents, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, Pennsylvania Attorney General's agents and local police officers raided primarily Asian restaurants, closing many of them around 11 a.m.
Agents were seen at restaurants and a home on Westerly Parkway, and restaurants on North Atherton Street, in downtown State College and other locations around town.
Investigators were seen carrying boxes of paperwork and other items from the businesses, but none were offering comment regarding the contents of the reason for the raids.
At many locations, people who were inside the restaurants were detained and transported by agents away from their area.
In a short statement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Public Affairs Specialist Nicole A. Navas said the operations were targeting specific locations.
"ICE Homeland Security Investigations special agents are conducting a targeted enforcement operation. In order not to compromise this ongoing criminal investigation, no additional details are available at this time. Residents should not be alarmed or any public safety concerns." Navas said.
Officials said the raids were not terrorism related.
Officials said some of the people who were detained had problems with immigration paperwork, but specific details about why people were detained were not available.
Some of the restaurants reopened Thursday afternoon.
Specific details about the raids were not made available.
