An incident at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Miramar, Florida, unfolded on Thursday morning when a Cuban migrant brought a 'white powdery substance' that led to a security guard falling ill and the subsequent evacuation of the premises.
According to ICE officials, the scare occurred during a routine screening at the ICE Miami field office at 7:15 a.m. Hazmat teams in protective gear were swiftly deployed to the scene on 145th Avenue, where they conducted thorough inspections and decontamination procedures.
Following the discovery of the suspicious substance, Miramar Fire Rescue and Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue were called in for a hazardous material response. The building was evacuated, and individuals were quarantined until the substance could be identified.
The security guard, who reportedly felt unwell after encountering the powder, was taken to a local hospital along with the Cuban migrant for precautionary medical evaluation. Both individuals were later released after receiving treatment.
Authorities have arrested the Cuban migrant, with criminal charges pending in connection to the incident. This occurrence comes amidst heightened ICE enforcement measures targeting criminal illegal migrants under the current administration.
Additional individuals were hospitalized for non-life-threatening conditions, including diabetes, anxiety, and asthma. Eyewitnesses reported seeing an employee fainting prior to the emergency response.
After a thorough assessment, ICE resumed normal operations at 9:45 a.m. The incident is now under investigation by Homeland Security, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the FBI.
While the alien and the substance remain unidentified at this time, ICE Homeland Security Investigations are actively involved in the ongoing inquiry.
