Two employees of SUNY Upstate Medical Center were detained by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers Wednesday when they went to a hearing at the Mattydale ICE offices, according to their unions.

Both men work in the environmental services department at the state-owned hospital in Syracuse. The men have worked for New York state since 2022 and 2024, according to the Civil Services Employees Association.

One is a member of CSEA. The other is a member of United University Professions, which represents academic faculty in the SUNY system. The men own a house in North Syracuse, according to UUP President Frederick Kowal.

Both were taken to the federal immigration center in Batavia, Kowal said.

Both were acting in good faith to finalize their legal status in the U.S., the union representatives said.

“We condemn the actions ICE took today and we want our members to know we will stand shoulder to shoulder with them in the face of unlawful treatment,” Kowal said.

CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan said the men are co-workers, neighbors and valued contributors to the hospital and community.

“No one should be punished for following the law. Our union members and all hospital employees deserve dignity, respect and the chance to live and work without fear,” she said.

ICE did not respond to a request for information.

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