by Mary KielarThu, October 30, 2025 at 5:24 PMUpdated Fri, October 31, 2025 at 2:54 PMSYRACUSE, N.Y. — Local leaders of the CSEA and UUP unions are grappling with the reality that two SUNY Upstate employees they represent were detained by Immigration & Customs Enforcement on Wednesday.They were taken when they showed up to a regularly scheduled immigration hearing, the CSEA said."It was a gut punch," said Mindy Heath, the president of UUP Upstate Medical Chapter. "To know that one of our members has been detained and there's no information after that."Ali Cottrell, the CSEA SUNY Upstate Medical University Local President, said he felt anger and shock learning one of his members was detained.PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Two SUNY Upstate Medical University employees detained by ICE, CSEA says"We have people who go through the process here that is entitled to work here in this country," he said.The union reps say the two men are from Cuba and work in the Environmental Services Team at the hospital."To say it's disturbing is an understatement," said State Senator Chris Ryan, who represents the 50th District. "They were state employees, they were paying taxes, owned a home, were members in this community."The I-Team reached out to DHS for more information and has not heard back.