A Maryland homeowner allegedly called Immigration and Customs Enforcement on six Guatemalan roofing workers just before they completed a $10,000 job, sparking national outrage after video of the detentions went viral on social media.
Workers Detained While Still on Roof
Bryan Polanco, a Dominican national with permanent U.S. residency who worked with the crew, livestreamed the March 27, 2026, incident on Instagram. The 30-minute video, since deleted but still circulating online, shows ICE agents arriving at the Maryland property and ordering workers to come down from the roof where they were actively completing the job. Six workers aged 18 to 40, who had traveled from Glen Burnie for the project, were detained and taken into custody.
During the livestream, Polanco calmly asserted his rights while filming. “I have every right to record. I’m not doing anything wrong either,” he told agents. He narrated the situation for viewers, saying, “The truth is they’re hurting working people, people who do good for the country. Instead of going after the criminals in the streets, the drug addicts, they come after the people who work.” The crew’s van remained at the scene with doors open and thousands of dollars worth of tools still inside.
Allegations of Intentional Timing
Polanco told Spanish-language broadcaster Univision that the homeowner contacted immigration authorities after the roofing work had already begun. “We practically had a project to start today. When they started the work, the homeowner kind of called immigration,” he stated. He claimed the homeowner made her position clear about future work involving immigrant laborers, though the specific details of those comments were not fully captured in available reports.
Broader Implications
The incident raises questions about workplace exploitation and the weaponization of immigration enforcement. The timing of the call, coming as workers neared completion of a substantial roofing project, suggests potential intent to avoid payment obligations. The case has drawn widespread attention on social media, with many commentators expressing concern about contractors and homeowners using immigration status as leverage against workers. ICE has not publicly commented on the specifics of the operation or whether they received information about the workers’ employment situation prior to the detention.
put them on a plane out of here .LOL
AMEN
What this woman did was really “down and dirty!”
She is a pod and should still pay for the roof. Besides that a roof replacement cost a heck of a lot more than 10,000 dollars!!!
totally agree
I say use that mony the illegal aliens made to pay for their deportation ait fare. Even make it first class as long as they are paying for it.
Well Connie when I was a licensed contractor I had unlicensed people competing with me taking jobs away from me. What’s the difference?
The FULL story is she DID NOT call ICE. They were investigating the company for hiring people here illegally and found them at her home.
Note: She still owns the company for work done, and the company is still legally obligated to complete the roof.
Well Connie when I was a licensed contractor I had unlicensed people competing with me taking jobs away from me. What’s the difference?
Who do you think you are replying to?
Your comment IS NOT a response to anything I said.
If the workers were legal then they would still be on that roof finishing up. I will say that by calling ice as the job neared completion is chicken shit and shows her character.
The Homeowner should still have to pay the workers for a complete job.
The illegals were taking jobs away from other people or immigrants that are in the US legally, so they should still be deported.
But,
The woman knew they were illegal when she hired them, so she should be fined 20,000 dollars for hiring illegals, and should still have to pay the illegals for the whole job.
They should be paid for the work they completed. Plain and simple. Documented or not, they did the work. They should earn payment for services rendered, a percentage of the original contract’s agrees amount. Pay for the work completed, but no more. If documentation were an issue, then the woman should have verified BEFORE the work began. She has every right to fire them for any reason at any time, but she’s still gotta pay ’em for what they finished. I agree that they NEED documentation, but that doesn’t mean I agree with them being treated like slaves to be worked and given nothing in return.
That’s just shady.
Whoever contracted those workers is at fault. Homeowners do not go to Home Depot’s parking lot to hire 6 or more guys to do roofing. They hire a guy who brings a crew and the tools. They assume the crew is legal, insured and all that. Why are you blaming the lady?
Maybe Polanco should apply for a job with the film crew of CNN ! That way he would be with the same caliber of workers . He didn’t seem to care about putting illegal workers at risk of being caught.
awesome! not the homeowners fault. they were illegal. that means no coverage for any damage and no warranty. boot them back where they came from!
sis, because past presidents knew when we had a good thing going and chosen for the main part left everything status quo . When you invite the circus you have to expect CLOWNS.
Another thing. The contractor hired them because they were cheaper. If they would have gotten hurt the homeowners insurance would have to cover it! Also if your not licensed you don’t have ti pay the bill. Lesson learned. Do it right or not at all!!!
Besides the man who went on internet, what status were the other workers? Were they legal? No mention of that huh?
A legal resident are required to have a MICH license, and workers compersation which protects the home owner. Without workers compensation and an employee is injured the employee can sue the homeowner for not checking license which employer are required to have. Also, I beleive the homeowner are not required to pay once the work is completed. If you have not MICH license there will be a hefty fine, criminal prosecution and potential jail time. ICE should also contact MICH charge these employers for not having necessary insurance and not observing the labor law.