In late January, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested five men on their way to work at Alstat Wood Products, a sawmill in Du Quoin, marking one of the first mass ICE enforcement actions in southern Illinois under President Trump.
The men, from Mexico and El Salvador, were detained after ICE agents stopped their vehicle on January 29. They were later booked at the Ste. Genevieve County Detention Center in Missouri. Two of the men were transferred to Greene County Jail, with one later extradited by ICE, though officials have not disclosed his current location.
Sawmill owner Daniel Alstat said he contracted the workers through Midwest Lumber Solutions Inc. and believed they had valid six-month work visas. Midwest Lumber Solutions was also responsible for their housing and transportation. Neighbors described the workers as quiet; no local police reports were connected to their residence.
Du Quoin Mayor Josh Downs said local police were not informed about the ICE operation in advance. ICE has not responded to multiple requests for comment on the arrests or the workers’ status.
Legal experts note that temporary work visas are common for seasonal labor in Illinois.