Enid, OK — A recent incident at Pearl’s Crabtown in Bricktown has led to widespread confusion after federal immigration agents took two employees into custody on Sunday morning. The event quickly went viral on social media, with some users labeling it as an “ICE raid,” causing concern and fear in the community. However, local officials, including State Senator Michael Brooks-Jimenez, clarified that the incident was part of a targeted operation rather than a mass raid.
Jada Robbins, a former employee of the restaurant, spoke to News 4 about the situation. She explained that several of her former co-workers, who were still employed at Pearl’s Crabtown, were shaken by the incident. “They were pretty shaken up, pretty frightened,” Robbins said. “I went down there and had dinner, and one of the employees came out and said, ‘Did you hear what happened this morning?’” According to Robbins, two workers were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while they were on the job.
The incident quickly gained attention when a current employee shared a post on social media, stating, “ICE is raiding Bricktown” and urging people to “tell your loved ones to stay safe.” The post fueled panic, with many assuming that a large-scale raid was occurring.
However, Senator Brooks-Jimenez, who has been vocal on immigration issues, addressed the situation the following day. He explained that what occurred at Pearl’s Crabtown was not a raid but rather a targeted operation under ICE’s fugitive operations program. The program focuses on individuals who have criminal convictions or outstanding deportation orders. “This is part of an existing program that already exists with ICE, called fugitive operations,” Brooks-Jimenez explained.
The senator went on to clarify that while it might seem alarming to some, these types of operations have been common throughout several presidential administrations. “ICE came in because they had a target identified, and then there are other people they encounter who may be picked up as collateral,” Brooks-Jimenez said. He added that under former President Donald Trump’s administration, more resources have been dedicated to the fugitive operations program, meaning incidents like this could become more frequent.
The confusion surrounding the Pearl’s Crabtown incident underscores the challenges of communicating immigration enforcement actions to the public. While the operation was not as large-scale as initially feared, the viral reaction highlights the deep anxiety within immigrant communities, especially regarding the potential for misinformation.
As the situation continues to unfold, community leaders and advocates are urging people to seek accurate information and avoid spreading unverified claims that could cause unnecessary panic.
