{"id":9963,"date":"2026-01-20T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/?p=9963"},"modified":"2026-01-19T09:57:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T15:57:11","slug":"perham-ice-agents-visit-shearers-foods-plant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/perham-ice-agents-visit-shearers-foods-plant\/","title":{"rendered":"Perham: ICE Agents Visit Shearer\u2019s Foods Plant"},"content":{"rendered":"

Perham, Otter Tail County (trfnews.i234.me<\/a>) <\/strong>U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE, visited Shearer\u2019s Foods<\/a> on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.<\/p>\n

The company said the visit involved one employee.<\/p>\n

What the company said<\/h2>\n

Shearer\u2019s said the employee was hired before the company acquired the Perham facility.<\/p>\n

The employee cooperated with agents, the company said.<\/p>\n

The company said the employee went with the agents.<\/p>\n

Shearer\u2019s said no other employees were involved.<\/p>\n

The company also said plant operations were not disrupted.<\/p>\n

Shearer\u2019s said several people who were not employees gathered outside the facility.<\/p>\n

The company said some recorded video and contacted local law enforcement.<\/p>\n

Police responded and found no public safety issue, according to the company.<\/p>\n

Witness video and police response<\/h2>\n

Rand Stolee, a Perham resident, said he watched the incident from outside the plant.<\/p>\n

He said the agents arrived in unmarked vehicles.<\/p>\n

He said he did not see badges.<\/p>\n

Stolee said he tried to go inside but was not allowed in.<\/p>\n

\u201cI stood outside and waited,\u201d Stolee said.<\/p>\n

He said the wait lasted about an hour.<\/p>\n

He said an agent told him not to interfere.<\/p>\n

Stolee said he told the agent he would not interfere.<\/p>\n

Stolee said a manager later told him he was on private property.<\/p>\n

He said he was told he was trespassing.<\/p>\n

Stolee said he called 911 during the incident.<\/p>\n

He said he wanted the process to stay legal.<\/p>\n

The Perham police chief said people can record from a safe distance.<\/p>\n

The chief urged people not to interfere with officers.<\/p>\n

\"Perham:
Perham: ICE Agents Visit Shearer\u2019s Foods Plant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

School and business updates<\/h2>\n

Nancy Belka, human resources director at KLN Family Brands<\/a>, said ICE had not visited any KLN businesses as of early Tuesday afternoon.<\/p>\n

She spoke to the Perham Focus<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mitch Anderson, superintendent of Perham-Dent Public Schools<\/a>, addressed rumors about ICE in schools.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt this time, we have not had any attempts to access students or student information,\u201d Anderson said.<\/p>\n

Shearer\u2019s said it is cooperating with authorities.<\/p>\n

The company said it is complying with employment and immigration laws.<\/p>\n

Shearer\u2019s said it will not provide more details due to employee privacy.<\/p>\n

Related links<\/h2>\n