A Boston University student has drawn both praise and condemnation after reporting workers at a nearby car wash to immigration authorities, leading to a federal raid that detained nine employees. Zac Segal, president of the university’s College Republicans club, said he had been contacting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for months about the Allston Car Wash, located near the campus, and shared news of the arrests on social media.
“This week they finally responded to my request to detain these criminals,” Segal wrote on X on November 7. “As someone who lives in the neighborhood, I’ve seen how American jobs are being given away to those with no right to be here. Pump up the numbers!”
Segal’s post drew immediate backlash from students and local activists. Members of Boston University’s College Democrats condemned his actions, announcing that they would no longer collaborate with the College Republicans club for the foreseeable future. Social media posts from other students labeled Segal a “racist,” “fascist,” and “Neo-Nazi.” Segal said he has received death threats in response to his post.
Meanwhile, the College Republicans of America defended Segal, calling him a “great patriot” and encouraging other young Republicans to report suspected illegal activity in their communities.
Lawyer Todd Pomerleau, representing the detained workers, said they had valid work permits but had not had time to retrieve them from the locker room before the raid. He described the operation as involving “military-style” vehicles with armed and masked agents. One worker had reportedly lived in the United States for 30 years.
Segal, who did not respond to TIME directly, defended his actions on X, stating he was “protecting my community and upholding the rule of law.” He also condemned death threats and online harassment. Many initially believed Segal was British, based on a biography on the university’s athletics website, but he clarified that he was born in Florida and raised in the United Kingdom.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) publicly praised Segal in a single-word response on X: “Patriot.” However, DHS officials later clarified that the raid was not triggered by Segal’s tip. “The operation was highly targeted and relied on law enforcement intelligence—not your silly rumor,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to TIME.
The incident has highlighted deep political divisions on campus and nationally, reflecting broader debates over immigration enforcement and the Trump administration’s deportation policies. It has sparked discussions about student activism, social media influence, and the impact of individual actions on local communities.
The Allston Car Wash raid and its fallout illustrate the tense climate around immigration enforcement and the polarizing role that social media plays in modern political discourse.
