A Boston University student leader faces intense backlash after publicly bragging about his role in triggering an ICE raid that separated nine workers from their families, with some detainees reportedly holding valid work permits.
Story Highlights
- BU College Republicans president Zac Segal admitted calling ICE repeatedly about Allston car wash workers
- Nine employees detained on November 4, scattered across three states in federal custody
- Attorney claims some workers had legal status but weren’t allowed to present documentation
- Online critics attack Segal while supporters defend immigration law enforcement
Student’s Public Admission Sparks Controversy
Zac Segal, president of Boston University’s College Republicans, posted on social media three days after the November 4 ICE raid claiming responsibility for contacting federal authorities about alleged undocumented workers at an Allston car wash. Segal stated he had been calling ICE for months about the employees, motivated by what he described as job displacement concerns. His public boasting about the raid’s success immediately triggered widespread condemnation online, with critics accusing him of destroying families and communities for political gain.
Watch; Boston University student admits to calling ICE on Allston car wash employees
Workers Detained Across Multiple States
The November 4 enforcement action resulted in the detention of nine car wash employees—five women and four men—who are now being held in facilities across three states. Four men remain detained in Plymouth, while four women were transferred to Vermont and one woman to Texas. Attorney Todd Pomerleau, representing the detained workers, revealed that at least five workers are scheduled for bond hearings next week and criticized the process for denying workers the opportunity to present legal documentation.
Boston University Student Attacked Online Over Claim He Called ICE on Workers https://t.co/4oEfUZTneJ
— The OPEN Daily (@theopendaily) November 14, 2025
Legal Questions Surrounding Worker Status
Significant concerns have emerged regarding the legal status of the detained workers and the enforcement process itself. Pomerleau claims several workers possessed valid work permits but were not given adequate opportunity to present their documentation during the raid. This raises troubling questions about due process violations and whether ICE properly verified worker status before making arrests. The attorney’s assertions suggest this case may involve legal workers caught in an enforcement action triggered by unsubstantiated allegations from a college student.
University and Campaign Distance Themselves
Boston University has remained notably silent on the incident, offering no public comment as of November 14 regarding their student’s actions or the resulting controversy. The Brian Shortsleeve campaign, where Segal serves as an intern, moved quickly to distance itself from his conduct while reaffirming general support for law enforcement. This institutional distancing reflects the sensitive nature of immigration enforcement and the potential reputational risks associated with Segal’s public statements and methods.
The incident highlights the complex intersection of student activism, federal immigration policy, and community impact in the Trump era, where enhanced enforcement has emboldened citizens to take active roles in reporting suspected violations.Â
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