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Six Guatemalan roofers detained by ICE at Maryland job site; wage-dispute and tip claims disputed

Apr 2, 2026·Location: Cambridge, MD

Country of origin: Guatemala

Six Guatemalan roofers detained by ICE at Maryland job site; wage-dispute and tip claims disputed
Photo via Instagram

ICE agents detained six Guatemalan workers, ages 18-40, while they were doing roofing and remodeling work at a home in Cambridge, Maryland, after traveling from Glen Burnie for the job. Coworker Bryan Polanco, a Dominican national with permanent residency who was not detained, livestreamed about 30 minutes of the arrest, saying agents were "hurting working people — people who do good for the country," and in a driveway confrontation told the homeowner, a self-described retired Marine, "You don't have to have hate in your heart... Live for them. Spread love." The wife of one detained worker, five months pregnant and caring for two children, said, "I feel so sad, desperate for my husband... we are here to move forward, not to do harm." Online claims alleged homeowner Karen Trevino called ICE to avoid paying roughly $10,000 owed for the job and was later arrested and charged, but Maryland court records showed no evidence of arrest or charges against Trevino or her father, and both ICE and Trevino denied anyone at the property contacted immigration authorities; Trevino said she received threats afterward, and Cambridge police said they would maintain increased presence near the home. ICE separately told reporters the arrests resulted from a targeted enforcement operation rather than a tip, claiming several of the men had prior removal orders and one had a prior reentry conviction, and that the workers resisted and attempted to flee before being detained. No charges have been filed in connection with the incident, and the crew's work van was left unsecured at the property after the men were taken.

Timeline

Apr 2, 2026—Fact-check found no court evidence that homeowner Karen Trevino or her father were arrested or charged; Cambridge police increased patrols near the home after threats were reported.
Mar 26, 2026—Wife of a detained worker, five months pregnant, described her distress; online claims alleged homeowner called ICE to avoid a $10,000 payment.
Mar 26, 2026—A legal expert said using a threat to report immigration status to avoid paying workers could be a felony under Maryland law if proven.
Mar 23, 2026—ICE agents detained six Guatemalan roofing workers at a residential job site in Cambridge, Maryland.
Mar 23, 2026—Coworker Bryan Polanco livestreamed the arrest and had a driveway confrontation with the homeowner, who described himself as 'pro-ICE.'
Mar 23, 2026—ICE told reporters the operation was a targeted enforcement action, not prompted by a tip, and alleged some workers had prior removal orders and one had a reentry conviction.
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