Sign for The Centre at Biltmore Square shopping center on Brevard Road in Asheville. ICE agents arrested three men in its parking lot on the morning of Tuesday, April 28. Photo: Patricia Serrano/ELNC Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested three men in the parking lot of a shopping plaza on Brevard Street in Asheville on the morning of Tuesday, April 28. According to a witness, the agents were specifically looking for one of the three men. The other two immigrants were arrested for being with him at the time. The organization Compañeros Inmigrantes de las Montañas en Acción (CIMA) announced the arrests through its alert system and social media. In its post, CIMA wrote: “The arrest of three people in the parking lot of the Apollo Flame Bistro was carried out by immigration agents. We are in contact with one of the affected families. The people detained were on their way to work.” This media outlet attempted to contact the affected family, without success so far. Image shared on social media by the CIMA organization of the alleged moment of the arrest. According to the CIMA post, it is not known whether the arrest "was random or if they were looking for one of these people." However, a person who witnessed the operation and works in that shopping center, who also knows the people arrested, recounted what happened to Enlace Latino NC. The source asked not to be identified. The witness said that, during the operation, he was specifically looking for one of the men and that the other two were arrested for being with him at that time. According to the witness, the wanted man faces a pending case in court. Enlace Latino NC has not been able to independently confirm this information. In response to whether it had any knowledge of this operation, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) said it was not involved and has no information about it. The names of those arrested are not yet known. The confirmed information is that they worked at that shopping center, that they arrived there on the morning of Tuesday, April 28th, to begin their work shift, and that they were... detained by ICE. What to do and where to get help in western North Carolina If you witnessed suspicious immigration activity or if a loved one was detained, there are organizations in the region that offer support to the immigrant community. In Buncombe County : Compañeros Inmigrantes de las Montañas en Acción (CIMA) is an Asheville-based organization that operates a community hotline to report raids and provide guidance to affected families. CIMA Community Line: 1-888-839-2839 March 1 to report suspicious immigration activity or if a loved one has been detained. March 2 If you need accompaniment to a local or immigration court. Website: cimawnc.org In Henderson County : The Center (Latino Advocacy Coalition of Henderson County), based in Hendersonville, offers guidance, translation, referral, and support services to the Latino community. Phone: (828) 290-7134 Address: 508 N. Grove St., Hendersonville, NC 28792 Website: elcentrohvl.org Remember your rights when encountering immigration agents You have the right to remain silent and to ask to speak with a lawyer. Do not sign any document without the presence of a lawyer. PODCAST After the storm A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The Latino community responded with something stronger than the storm: solidarity. 🎧 In this episode, learn how Latino organizations transformed crisis into resilience. ▶️Press play to listen! Patricia Serrano is a bilingual journalist based in Asheville and a Report for America staffer. She covers immigration, political, and social issues in Western North Carolina for Enlace Latino NC, etc. More from Patricia Serrano