Families and advocates say they’re trying to reach their loved ones who were detained at a St. Paul manufacturer during a federal law enforcement operation on Tuesday.

Federal agents from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement blocked off streets for about two hours Tuesday morning at Bro-Tex, a paper and cloth wipes manufacturer in the city’s St. Anthony Park neighborhood. A chaotic scene unfolded as protesters tried to block federal vehicles from leaving the area, and agents deployed chemical irritants and projectiles to disperse crowds.

Erik Alarcon said his uncle and cousin were working at Bro-Tex when they were detained by federal agents. He said his family has not been able to reach them.

“We still don't know where they're at. We don't kn

See Full Page