Outreach group says ICE detains immigrant worker employed at QTS build site
An immigrant advocacy group, Escucha Mi Voz, reports that ICE detained a Venezuelan construction worker, Luis Adolfo Nouel Gonzalez, who was employed at a QTS data center build site in Fairfax, Iowa. Gonzalez, who had applied for asylum and received Temporary Protected Status, was detained during a scheduled ICE appointment in Cedar Rapids. QTS states it has no knowledge of the alleged event beyond media reports.
An eastern Iowa immigrant advocacy group, Escucha Mi Voz, has reported that a Venezuelan construction worker employed at a QTS data center construction site in Fairfax, Iowa, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Luis Adolfo Nouel Gonzalez was reportedly taken into custody by ICE on Wednesday during a scheduled appointment at the Cedar Rapids ICE office.
According to Escucha Mi Voz, Gonzalez had come to the U.S. with his family, applied for asylum, and had received Temporary Protected Status (TPS). His wife and daughter reside in Iowa. Rogelio Lagunas, a member of Escucha Mi Voz, criticized the detention, stating that immigrant workers contributing to Iowa's tech economy "deserve to work, support their families, and live without the threat of surveillance or detention by ICE." He added that Gonzalez had complied with all government requirements, including applying for TPS and asylum.
Venezuela, among other nations, recently had its TPS status revoked, and deportation flights to the country resumed earlier this month following June earthquakes. Immigration attorney Raziel Argueta advised individuals whose TPS has been terminated to consult an attorney before an ICE appointment.
When questioned about the incident, QTS, the data center developer, stated that it had "no knowledge of this alleged event beyond what has been reported to us by media" and affirmed its commitment to maintaining a "safe, secure and compliant environment." Iowa's News Now has sought comment from ICE but has not yet received a response.