Staff at Philadelphia’s field office for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement confirmed nine men were taken into custody Monday in Montoursville.

“On Sep. 8, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Officers conducted a targeted enforcement operation near Broad Street in Montoursville,” a statement from the field office Wednesday said. “During the operation, nine illegal aliens were encountered and arrested while working, all of which did not have legal status to work or reside in the United States. Three of the illegal aliens have significant criminal history in the United States, including several arrests for assault and harassment. All nine aliens were taken into ICE custody pending removal proceedings and/or removal from the United States.”

Witnesses said the arrests happened in the 300 block of Broad Street Monday morning and involved a roofing crew. One witness told the Sun-Gazette all the agents “acted in a very professional manner,” the Sun-Gazette reported.

The statement said such intelligence-led and targeted immigration enforcement efforts are an important part of ICE continuing “to uphold its mission to protect the homeland and preserve the integrity of the U.S. labor market.”