Cato, N.Y. – A food manufacturing plant was the scene of a dramatic raid Thursday, involving over 50 federal agents who detained around 70 workers at the Nutrition Bar Confectioners facility. The operation, carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) alongside local law enforcement, has left the plant’s owners deeply unsettled.

Jeff, Lenny, and Mark Schmidt Jr., the brothers who own the business, expressed their shock during an interview following the incident. They noted that such an event had never occurred in the nearly 50 years their family has operated the plant. “We feel terrorized; there is no explanation,” Lenny said, conveying the emotional toll on the family and employees alike.

The raid commenced around 9 a.m. at the facility located on Route 34, which routinely produces large quantities of snack and protein bars. The owners reported that the federal agents, some of whom were masked and donned bullet-proof vests, moved swiftly through the plant, detaining those they identified as Hispanic. Workers who did not fit that description were released.

Witness accounts suggest that some detained employees had legitimate government documentation in their vehicles, which they were not permitted to retrieve before being taken away. While some of those held were released by Friday, many others remained unaccounted for, prompting concern among the Schmidt brothers.

Following the raid, the facility ceased operations for the day, but began to resume production on Friday, albeit with a significantly reduced workforce. The plant typically runs 24 hours a day, yet later shifts were canceled as uncertainty clouded staffing levels. The brothers expressed their commitment to supporting affected workers and their families, acknowledging the distress felt within the community.

After the unsettling experience, the Schmidts gathered with remaining employees to discuss the situation. “We’re here for them,” Jeff stated. “If they can’t work today, that’s okay. If they need help finding other employment, we are willing to assist.” Lenny voiced his concern over the fear and uncertainty that would inevitably surround the Hispanic workers moving forward.

Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck confirmed that the raid stemmed from a Department of Homeland Security investigation into unspecified felony crimes. However, neither the Schmidt family nor local authorities have received clarity on what specific offenses are being examined.

The owners maintain that their hiring practices align with federal laws, insisting that all employees had appropriate documentation. The family, which has a history of employing many migrant workers, reiterated their diligence in ensuring compliance.

As the dust settles from the raid, questions remain about the future of the Nutrition Bar Confectioners. With the potential loss of skilled employees and lingering uncertainties about further investigations, the family grapples with the impact on their business, founded in 1978. While they received some community support, the Schmidts acknowledged the challenges ahead in restoring their workforce and operations to normalcy.