Earlier this month, federal agents uncovered a disturbing situation at a poultry plant in Kidron, Ohio, discovering over two dozen minors working illegally, as reported by local immigration advocates.
The children, primarily from Guatemala, were reportedly engaged in meat processing and sanitation roles at Gerber’s Poultry, the company behind Amish Farm Chicken, known for its “Better feed, better taste” slogan.
Marisa Darden, legal representative for Gerber’s Poultry, declined to comment initially and later stated, “We are cooperating, we just can’t talk about it.” In a subsequent statement on Monday, the company expressed surprise at the federal inquiry into its Kidron plant. It assured full cooperation with the investigation and acknowledged a proactive review of policies to ensure compliance with federal regulations.
Local immigration advocates revealed that Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI surrounded the plant on the evening of October 4, disrupting traffic in and out of the facility. During the raid, agents engaged employees inquiring about identification, plant sanitation, and other aspects. A TikTok video suggests that workers feared an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid, and agents organized them into lines.
Agents photographed the workers, questioning the origin of their documents verifying age and eligibility to work legally in the United States. The workers were also asked to complete a questionnaire available in Spanish, English, and indigenous languages of Guatemala.
According to a current employee who spoke anonymously, agents arrived at around 9:00 p.m. and stayed most of the night. The worker recounted the extensive scrutiny of employees and emphasized that many appeared to fear being targeted by ICE.
Local resident Dany Ceto, who witnessed the FBI’s presence, initially assumed it was an immigration raid. Ceto noted that children often work the plant’s second shift to accommodate their school schedules.
The investigation raises serious concerns about child labor practices, potential exploitation, and the need for increased oversight within the poultry industry.
