Woman Called ICE To Arrest Immigrant Workers? Here’s The Truth

A Cambridge, Maryland, homeowner has been at the center of online controversy after viral videos appeared showing six Guatemalan immigrant workers being detained by ICE while working on her roof. Social media posts suggested she had called authorities to avoid paying a $10,000 (£7,586) roofing bill.

However, ICE has denied any tip-off from the homeowner, stating the arrests were part of a pre-planned enforcement operation targeting individuals with prior immigration violations. As of 31 March 2026, the woman is not facing any felony charges despite the intense speculation online.

The incident occurred on 23 March when ICE agents arrived at the property on the Eastern Shore of Cambridge. Viral footage shows the workers being instructed to climb down from the roof, with some alleging the homeowner called ICE to evade payment. The posts, shared widely on platforms like Instagram, fueled public outrage over alleged exploitation of vulnerable workers.

Federal officials clarified that the operation was planned in advance and unrelated to the homeowner. ICE confirmed that several of the detained workers had final orders of removal, and one had a prior illegal reentry conviction. There is no evidence linking the homeowner to the arrests, and local news reports confirm she has not been charged.

Maryland law does make it a felony to threaten to report someone’s immigration status for personal gain, but since ICE has ruled out her involvement, prosecutors have not pursued a case. Experts note the incident highlights how quickly unverified social media claims can escalate public outrage, even when official statements contradict viral narratives.

The detained workers remain in custody, and the episode continues to spotlight tensions in U.S. immigration enforcement, as online misinformation spreads.