SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Two employees of Upstate University Hospital were detained by federal immigration officers, a spokesperson for SUNY Upstate confirms to NewsChannel 9. The workers are part of the hospital’s environmental services department, which cleans and disinfects the healthcare facility. The employees are Cuban citizens, the hospital said, who were working toward legal immigration status. CSEA, the union representing one of the workers, was first to share the information. The workers were arrested by officers while attending immigration hearings in an attempt to finalize legal immigration proceedings, the institution and union said. “Before they could even enter the courtroom, both were taken into custody and now face possible deportation,” said CSEA. “Detaining people who are following lawful processes is both unjust and inhumane and sends a message of intimidation to all immigrants trying to do things the right way,” said the union. While the location of detained immigrants is hard to track, those working to locate the employees suspect they’ve been sent to the Batavia immigration detention facility. The workers were hired in 2002 and 2024. “They are part of our Upstate family, they are our co-workers, our neighbors, and valued contributors to the hospital and community,” said CSEA President Mary Sullivan. “No one should be punished for following the law. Our union members and all hospital employees deserve dignity, respect, and the chance to live and work without fear.”