--- title: Labor leaders discuss ICE detention of union member description: The America’s Work Force Union Podcast is the nation’s premier daily labor program. Jennifer Bacon of IATSE 15 joined us on today’s show. image: https://awf.labortools.com/hubfs/Iatse%20Local%2015%20Red.png --- 1 min read Season 6, Episode 153 # Labor leaders discuss ICE detention of union member [ awfblog ](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/author/awfblog) August 4, 2025 [America's Work Force Union Podcast](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/tag/americas-work-force-union-podcast) [IATSE](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/tag/iatse) ![IATSE Local 15 Gray](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IATSE%20Local%2015%20Gray.png?width=400&height=400&name=IATSE%20Local%2015%20Gray.png)   Guest Name: --- Jennifer Bacon Guest Website: --- [https://ia15.org/](https://ia15.org/)  Guest Social Media: --- [ Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/iatse15/) [ Twitter](https://twitter.com/IATSELocal15) [ YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@iatselocal15official22) [ LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/iatse-local-15/) Supportive Documents: --- Jennifer Bacon, President of the [International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 15](https://ia15.org/), and Alan Bond, Local 15 Assistant Business Agent, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent ICE detention of union member Fernando Rocha.   A theater manager at Juanita High School, Rocha was detained by ICE despite having a valid work authorization. Bond described how Rocha was forcibly removed from his car and arrested, despite attempting to show his documentation. He said the union quickly mobilized, raising $35,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to cover Rocha's $10,000 bond and potential legal fees. Bacon emphasized this was the first such incident for their Local, highlighting the shock and urgency of their response.   The union leaders expressed concern over the seemingly targeted nature of Rocha's arrest, speculating it might be related to ICE agents trying to meet quotas. They outlined steps taken to support Rocha, including connecting with immigrant rights organizations and seeking specialized legal counsel. Bacon stressed the importance of sharing Rocha's story widely to raise awareness and support for immigrant workers facing similar situations.   IATSE Local 15 is actively preparing for potential future incidents by communicating with members about Rocha's experience, connecting with other unions and immigrant rights groups and ensuring access to appropriate legal resources. Bacon noted that while Rocha's immediate needs are met, they're directing supporters to other organizations assisting immigrant workers, recognizing the broader impact of these enforcement actions.   Listen to the full episode of AWF for more insights on how unions are responding to immigration enforcement challenges. --- America’s Work Force is the only daily labor podcast in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America's workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues. America’s Work Force Union Podcast is brought to you in part by our sponsors: AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees, American Federation of Musicians Local 4, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes-IBT, Boyd Watterson, Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Communication Workers of America, Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6, Ironworkers Great Lakes District Council, Melwood, The Labor Citizen newspaper, Laborers International Union of North America, The National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, North Coast Area Labor Federation, Ohio Federation of Teachers, United Labor Agency, United Steelworkers. - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ##### SUBSCRIBE ON: --- [![Group 342](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AmericasWorkForce/podcast%20logos/Apple%20Podcasts%20Button-Dark.png?width=171&name=Apple%20Podcasts%20Button-Dark.png)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/americas-work-force-union-podcast/id1511224946) [![Group 341](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AmericasWorkForce/podcast%20logos/Spotify%20Button-Dark.png?width=100&name=Spotify%20Button-Dark.png)](https://open.spotify.com/show/0GzkHxFSBxiXvuX0lZpQBn) [![Group 343](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20343.png?width=135&name=Group%20343.png)](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/americas-work-force-union-podcast-62567752/) [![Group 339](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20339.png?width=110&name=Group%20339.png)](https://www.pandora.com/podcast/americas-work-force-union-podcast/PC:47979) [![Group 397](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20397.png?width=125&name=Group%20397.png)](https://americasworkforceradiopodcast.podbean.com/) [![Group 397](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/YouTube_button.png?width=125&name=YouTube_button.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuQo1PAtRAel1_tS7-PQOkA)   #### [Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen on the Union Pacific Merger Threat](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/brotherhood-of-railroad-signalmen-on-the-union-pacific-merger-threat) : July 6, 2026 # Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen on the Union Pacific Merger Threat Brandon Elvey, Secretary-Treasurer of the [Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen](https://www.brs.org/),... 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