MADISON, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – As the community members of Madison began their morning, the sound of the helicopters overhead indicated the town was not going to have a normal day.

Officials with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed a raid at Global Polymer Industries and Manitou Equipment. Uniformed agents escorted eight individuals suspected of working illegally in the US.

While having coffee with his wife Tuesday morning, John Nelson received a call about a possible raid at Manitou Equipment. The couple grabbed their cell phones, left their coffee, and arrived just in time to see what happened.

“There were probably a dozen agents that we saw operating here. We saw a number of agents with masks and protective vests on. And they were going in and out of the building. Some people were standing outside the doors. And eventually, we saw a van pull up and go into the building. Took some people. I watched some search a vehicle thoroughly. There were four of them that came to a vehicle in the parking lot,” Nelson recalled.

A statement from ICE confirmed: “Those arrested during the enforcement action at Manitou Equipment America and Global Polymer Industries have been presented for Federal prosecution for violations of US law or were placed into deportation proceedings.

With her training in peace and justice advocacy, Kay Gee drove from Watertown to see if she could do anything for the community.

“Went to the gas station, filled up the car and started driving down because I thought that as someone that’s white, blonde-haired, blue-eyed that I could bear witness to whatever that was ever going on,” Gee explained.

Nelson is surprised to see this focus on his hometown.

“Many of them who are here legally, who are native-born Americans. They’re born here, several generations, and they’re still being targeted. As people that have to show their papers and it’s tragic,” Nelson expressed.

Dakota News watched agents leave Madison city hall getting into matching minivans and driving away.

They contacted ICE, asking where Tuesday’s detainees are being kept, and were told no additional information is available.