ICE Sightings Spark Worries Among Long Island Farm, Winery Workers

Immigrant labor force fears disruptions to growing season as ICE agents spotted in East End towns

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:34pm

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Farmers and winery operators on Long Island's East End are expressing concerns about the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in their communities, fearing the potential disruption to their immigrant-reliant workforce during the critical growing season. Recent incidents, including the detention of a long-time farm employee returning from a trip and the arrest of two winery workers, have heightened anxiety among the Latino workforce that makes up a significant portion of the agricultural labor force in the region.

Why it matters

The East End's agricultural and winery industries rely heavily on immigrant labor, with estimates that up to 70% of the workforce is foreign-born. Any disruptions to this labor pool could have significant impacts on the region's economically important farming and wine production sectors, which are already facing challenges like labor shortages and climate change.

The details

Farmer Ed Densieski, who has been working 200 acres in East Quogue for over a century, considers his immigrant workers like Hugo Verliz to be part of his family. However, Verliz's nephew Freddy, a long-time farm employee, was recently detained by ICE while returning from a trip to Guatemala due to what the agency claims were issues with his paperwork or visa. Similarly, two workers from Pindar Vineyards were arrested by ICE agents outside a Greenport coffee shop in March, further heightening fears among the Latino community.

  • In February, Verliz's nephew Freddy was detained by ICE while returning from a trip to Guatemala.
  • In March, ICE agents arrested two Pindar Winery workers outside a Greenport coffee shop.

The players

Ed Densieski

A Long Island farmer who has been working 200 acres in East Quogue for over 100 years and relies on an immigrant labor force, including workers like Hugo Verliz.

Hugo Verliz

A long-time employee on Densieski's farm who considers the farm and its owner to be part of his family.

Freddy

Verliz's nephew, who had been working on Densieski's farm for two decades before being detained by ICE while returning from a trip to Guatemala.

Pindar Vineyards

A Long Island winery that had two of its workers arrested by ICE agents outside a Greenport coffee shop in March.

Minerva Perez

The executive director of OLA of Eastern Long Island, a Latino advocacy group.

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What they’re saying

“Twenty-five years, I work on the farm, never have problem here.”

— Hugo Verliz, Farm Worker

“He's very good guy. [Densieski] loved him.”

— Hugo Verliz, Farm Worker

“He had permanent job. He had good paperwork.”

— Hugo Verliz, Farm Worker

“We are part of an ecosystem out here on the East End of Long Island, and when one section of that gets broken irreparably, it affects all of us.”

— Minerva Perez, Executive Director, OLA of Eastern Long Island

“Seventy percent of our workforce is an immigrant-based workforce, and the people in Washington do know and do realize. So, they're watching also on, you know, how they proceed.”

— Bill Zalakar, Director, Long Island Farm Bureau

What’s next

Homeland Security confirms it has an open dialogue with the Long Island Farm Bureau to address concerns about separating agricultural workers from overall immigration reform.

The takeaway

The presence of ICE agents in Long Island's East End has created a climate of fear and uncertainty among the region's immigrant farm and winery workers, who make up a significant portion of the agricultural labor force. Any disruptions to this workforce could have serious economic consequences for the area's vital farming and wine production industries.