Federal immigration agents arrested 15 construction workers at an Alexandria apartment complex Monday afternoon, sparking an evening community rally where city officials and residents denounced the enforcement action.
The arrests occurred at Eaton Square Apartments on Florence Drive in the Chirilagua neighborhood while the men were working on a roofing project, according to Evelin Urrutia, executive director of Tenants and Workers United. The timing coincided with the first day of school in Alexandria, heightening community concerns about children’s safety.
“The people arrested were working on the roof of an apartment building when they were targeted and abducted by masked federal agents,” Urrutia said during the community gathering at 3801 Florence Drive. “This comes as families were ready to pick up their children on the first day of classes.”…