News Summary
A significant immigration raid by ICE occurred at Nutrition Bar Confectioners in Cato, NY, leading to the detention of dozens of employees. The operation, which involved federal agents and local law enforcement, alarmed workers during their break. Witnesses reported a tense atmosphere and the use of forceful entry during the raid. The community is concerned about the emotional impacts on families, particularly the parents detained. Governor Hochul criticized the raid, emphasizing its harmful effects on the local community. The fate of the business and its employees remains uncertain.
Cato, NY – A significant immigration raid took place at Nutrition Bar Confectioners in Cato, NY, on Thursday morning, resulting in the detention of dozens of employees. The operation began around 9 a.m. at the family-owned factory located at 12351 Route 34, which specializes in manufacturing nutrition bars.
The raid was conducted by federal agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), assisted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), alongside personnel from the Cayuga County and Oswego County sheriff’s offices. A mobile command center was established at the scene by the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office to facilitate the operation.
Witnesses reported that up to 50 agents and deputies were present during the raid, with some officers seen wearing masks and bullet-proof vests for protection. Many employees were on break at the time when they were alerted to the situation, as an internal alarm signaled that ICE had surrounded the building. Employees received alarming messages regarding the raid in the interval between 9 and 9:30 a.m.
By early afternoon, numerous employees were taken from the scene in unmarked vehicles, with estimates suggesting that approximately 100 people were working at the factory at the time the raid commenced. Immigration advocate Ana Méndez noted that officers reportedly used crowbars to forcibly enter rooms during the operation, leading to a thorough sweep across the building where employees were rounded up.
Reports indicated a distressing atmosphere inside the factory, with some detained individuals seen crying and appearing unwell during the incident. U.S. citizens among the employees were reportedly allowed to leave separately, while unmarked vehicles were observed departing the scene packed with individuals, as later noted by a representative of the New York Immigration Coalition.
The Cayuga County Sheriff’s Mobile Incident Unit remained on-site into the early afternoon, monitoring the ongoing situation which included police and border patrol vehicles. By around 3 p.m., most federal agents and deputies had concluded their activities and departed from the factory premises.
The raid has sparked significant concern within the community, particularly for the families affected by the detentions. Local residents expressed worry about the emotional and practical ramifications of the raid on those detained, many of whom were parents of school-age children, returning home to empty houses. Governor Kathy Hochul voiced her outrage over the actions of ICE, emphasizing the emotional toll such operations have on families and the larger community. She criticized the raid as cruel and ineffective for community safety.
Earlier reports falsely indicated that detainees were transported to the Oswego County jail, but this information was subsequently corrected by officials. Efforts by local news sources to obtain further details from ICE and Homeland Security regarding the nature and execution of the operation have been ongoing, reflecting the community’s demand for clarity and accountability in the aftermath of this significant immigration enforcement action.
Nutrition Bar Confectioners has operated since 1978 and is known in the region for its specialized products. The enduring operation of the business, alongside the livelihoods of its employees, is now uncertain in the wake of the raid and its potential impact on the company’s future.
As the community continues to process the events of Thursday’s immigration raid, many are left with unanswered questions and concerns about the stability of local employment and familial structures. The unfolding narrative surrounding the raid illustrates a deepening complexity in discussions about immigration enforcement and its implications for businesses and communities in Cato and beyond.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Sackets Harbor Family Released After ICE Detention
New York Faces Increased Immigration Enforcement Threats
Additional Resources
- Syracuse.com: Federal agents raid nutrition bar manufacturing plant
- Wikipedia: Immigration and Immigration Enforcement in the United States
- CNY Central: Cayuga County ICE raid caught on camera
- Google Search: ICE raids impact on communities
- CNN: Hundreds arrested in ICE raid at Georgia plant
- Google Scholar: Immigration raids effect
- WSYR: Dozens detained in immigration raid at Cato plant
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
- Finger Lakes Daily News: ICE agents raid Cayuga County factory
- Google News: Immigration raids September 2025
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
