A homeowner in Cambridge, Maryland, reportedly called ICE on six Guatemalan roofers shortly after they had nearly completed a three-day job, allegedly leaving them owed about $10,000. Their coworker, Bryan Polanco, livestreamed the incident as ICE agents arrived on March 25 and detained the workers while they were still on the roof. According to reports, the homeowner even provided a ladder so agents could reach them.
Polanco livestreamed the arrest for nearly half an hour. The video quickly gained traction, spreading widely across social media and drawing thousands of views and comments. The incident attracted significant attention, particularly among those already discussing workplace ICE raids and the treatment of undocumented workers.
In a livestream that has been circulating widely, six workers can be seen being arrested by ICE at a home in Cambridge, Maryland. The men are heard shouting in Spanish, saying things such as, “She called the law on us!” and “They surrounded us!”
Throughout the video, Polanco narrates the unfolding events. Near the end, he captures the homeowner on camera as she cleans up her property shortly after the arrests. Outside, the workers’ van remains abandoned, its doors wide open and its expensive tools left untouched. As the video concludes, Polanco turns to the camera and says, “Seeing it is not the same as experiencing it. I’ve watched many videos like this, and sadly, today I had to experience it myself.”
One of the detained workers has a wife who is five months pregnant and two young children at home. She told Univision that her husband and the others came to the United States in search of a better life, not to cause trouble.
Maryland labor laws require payment for completed work regardless of a worker’s immigration status, meaning the homeowner could still be liable for the unpaid $10,000. So far, neither ICE nor Cambridge police have publicly commented on the incident, and the homeowner’s name has not been released.
Internet Outraged at Maryland Homeowner for Calling ICE on Her Own Workers
Online reactions were overwhelmingly critical of the homeowner. Many commenters called for her to be publicly identified and held accountable, with one writing, “These people need to be identified, and public shaming is a must.”
Others focused on the legal implications, arguing, “If she knowingly hired undocumented workers and allowed this to happen, she should be prosecuted.”
Several commenters directly highlighted the hypocrisy of the situation. One wrote, “She wasn’t so concerned about their citizenship when she hired them.” Others raised concerns about the broader implications of the incident, with one commenter saying, “I would be terrified to treat people like that — you are really screwing someone over badly and leaving yourself open to problems down the line.”
The most widely echoed response was simply: “Karma will catch up with her.”
People are discussing this story because it highlights how immigration enforcement can be used by some as a way to avoid paying workers. It is resonating strongly right now, especially as ICE workplace actions face growing criticism. The incident was captured on camera, including footage of the homeowner cleaning up after the arrests. That video does more than document what happened; it presents the full sequence of events in a way that is difficult to overlook.
Cambridge, Maryland, is a small town of roughly 12,000 residents. Yet millions have seen what unfolded on that rooftop on March 25. The incident has ignited a broader debate over who has the authority to contact ICE—and for what reasons—a conversation that is far from over.
