Image Credit: ICE HSI 
Federal authorities detained more than a dozen people during targeted worksite enforcement at a facility that manufactures fire prevention equipment in North Carolina this week, according to reports.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), working alongside a slew of partner agencies, executed a criminal search warrant on Wednesday at Buckeye Fire Equipment Company in Kings Mountain, a city in the Charlotte suburbs.
Potential crimes under investigation in connection with the raid include aggravated identity theft and hiring of individuals not legally authorized to work in the U.S.
“Allegations of identity theft you should take seriously. Would you want your identities used for someone else to work or do whatever they’re going to do with them? It’s a serious federal crime,” ICE spokesman Lindsay Williams stated during a press conference held outside the business.
“There have been some folks detained somewhere in the dozen or so range, but that number may increase as we continue.”
Footage purportedly shot by someone inside the facility shows dozens of employees gathered on the shop floor as authorities questioned workers and managers.
At least 16 individuals were detained, although it remains unclear how many were arrested or charged amid the ongoing investigation, according to WBTV.
Buckeye Fire Equipment is a “family-owned and operated” company specializing in American-made fire prevention gear and systems since 1968.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appears to be ramping up worksite enforcement operations despite conflicting reports about the Trump administration’s direction on the issue.
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