Three Guatemalan men on their way to work on the South Coast, apprehended by ICE

Federal immigration agents apprehended three Guatemalan painters enroute to their job during a pre-dawn raid on Friday.

According to New Bedford Light, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers pulled over the van carrying Ezequiel Cos Pacheco, 31, Isaias Castro, who is in his 30s, and Luís David Ajtzac Osório, 18, around 6:30 a.m. on Middle Street.

Their employer, Lidia Santos, stated to the Light that Osório possesses a legitimate work authorization, while Pacheco lacks legal status. Castro’s immigration situation is not yet confirmed.

A review of records at New Bedford District Court revealed no prior criminal history in Massachusetts for Castro, Osório, or Pacheco.

That same afternoon, Chief Judge Denise Casper granted a temporary halt to any deportation or relocation of Osório following a habeas corpus filing in Massachusetts U.S. District Court, though it’s uncertain if he remained in the state when the petition was submitted. Homeland Security personnel are now required to notify the court 48 hours in advance of any attempt to transfer him.

New Bedford Light stated that witnesses described seeing at least three unmarked cars and agents in protective gear during the stop. The group was traveling to a worksite at 43 William Street, only a short distance away, where neighbors noted they had been employed throughout the summer.

Santos told the Light that there were eight or nine men in the van at the time and that the majority escaped.