Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) clapped back at a “truly embarrassing” CBS News report on Friday.
The outlet posted a story about Benny Melendez, who says he is now installing fencing that is supposed to prevent ICE from taking his workers. The idea is that it creates a barrier that would require a warrant to cross, though Melendez says he has “seen ICE agents jumping the fence.”
Watch:
Benny Melendez, the owner of a small construction company in South Texas, says he’s been forced to install fencing at job sites to protect his workers from ICE.
“It’s embarrassing for the land of the free, to have to do this,” Melendez told @camiloreports.
Unable to find workers, Melendez, a 2024 Trump voter and 2020 Biden voter, says he plans to vote for Democrats in the midterm elections.
— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 23, 2026
“If I don’t install fences, ICE is going to come into my property and take my workers away,” he complained.
“But you’re saying with this, they would need a judicial warrant?” CBS News’s Camilo Montoya-Galvez asked.
“Yes, supposedly. But we’ve seen ICE agents jumping the fence. We’ve seen em. Here in Dnna. 10 minutes away,” Melendez said.
“I think a lot of people would be surprised that construction workers and construction company owners would have to put up fencing to keep the government out,” the reporter responded.
“It’s embarrassing for America, for the leaders of the world, it’s embarrassing for the land of the free to have to do this,” Melendez said, jerking on the fencing. “It’s embarrassing.”
ICE responded:
.@CBSNews, imagine calling yourselves a legitimate journalistic operation and REFUSING to even ask ICE for comment on this story.
What’s truly embarrassing is the media continuing to run cover for illegal aliens and smear ICE enforcement officers.
We will continue enforcing our nation’s laws and removing illegal aliens who have no right to be in our country.
— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) October 23, 2026
“[CBS News], imagine calling yourselves a legitimate journalistic operation and REFUSING to even ask ICE for comment on this story,” they said. “What’s truly embarrassing is the media continuing to run cover for illegal aliens and smear ICE enforcement officers.”
“We will continue enforcing our nation’s laws and removing illegal aliens who have no right to be in our country.”
X users had a lot to say:
Guy built an actual slave work camp for his illegal immigrant workers and blames ICE. Wild!
— Steve (@Steve_Stuck) October 23, 2026
“Benny Melendez, the owner of a small construction company in South Texas, dodges workman’s comp insurance and social security benefits by hiring illegal migrants at lower wages, who then access social services further straining that tax base for his own gain”
— UPC (@UPC4547) October 23, 2026
Did you guys happen to mention to Benny that he is breaking the law? He probably should be made aware. pic.twitter.com/5qoPK0aqQq
— Chris Musselman (@TakeRightTurn) October 23, 2026
Dude is just admitting to crimes on camera like it’s not a problem.
— 🐺 (@LeighWolf) October 23, 2026
Why is he unable to find workers? Does he only hire illegal aliens? Is he refusing to pay a decent wage to attract American applicants?
— AdamInHTownTX (@AdamInHTownTX) October 23, 2026
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
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