Immigrant groups prepare for ICE raids targeting California, other ‘sanctuary’ states
A spokesperson for California Gov. Gavin Newsom said that reported plans for immigration raids across California this week were “cruel” and urged undocumented residents to become educated about their rights.
On Thursday, an official for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not confirm or deny a report earlier this week in the Washington Post that described plans to target immigrants in communities that have adopted so-called “sanctuary” policies.
The 2018 California Values Act, more commonly known as the state’s sanctuary law, limits local-level law enforcement cooperation with ICE.
Jesse Melgar, a spokesperson for the California governor’s office, criticized the federal agency for targeting sanctuary cities.
“These tactics are not new, but they are unabashedly cruel in their effort to instill fear in Californians who are disproportionately struggling through a pandemic, wildfires, loss of family and friends to COVID-19, as well as economic losses,” Melgar said. “All Californians must know they have legal rights and protections, regardless of their immigration status.”
ICE spokesman Jonathan C. Moor said the agency doesn’t comment on any law enforcement sensitive issues that impact officers and the public.
“However, every day as part of routine operations, ICE targets and arrests criminal aliens and other individuals who have violated the immigration laws of our Republic,” he said in a statement to The Bee. “While being mindful of the current pandemic, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) is continuing to conduct its critical public safety and immigration enforcement mission while taking efforts to minimize the risks to officers, aliens, and the public related to COVID-19.”
In sanctuary jurisdictions, ICE is forced to make arrests out in communities as opposed to making those apprehensions in “the safe confines of a jail,” Moor said.
However, in August, a Fresno Bee story revealed that despite the state’s sanctuary law, ICE had arrested hundreds of immigrants at the Fresno County jail.
Cynthia Buiza, executive director of the California Immigrant Policy Center, issued a statement earlier this week on the anticipated ICE raids.
“Even during a pandemic, as immigrant communities face disproportionate health and financial impacts from COVID, ICE continues its assault on immigrants in California and across the country,” she said in the statement. “We will continue to defend immigrants against the cruelty of the Trump administration.”
Local immigrants should know their rights and get familiar with local rapid response networks available, said Angela Chan, policy director and senior staff attorney overseeing the criminal justice reform program at the Asian Americans Advancing Justice -Asian Law Caucus.
“ICE’s threat of raids against sanctuary cities is a desperate attempt at bullying cities and counties that have proudly stood with immigrant community members and disentangled from the deportation pipeline,” Chan said. “The fact is that sanctuary policies reduce ICE arrests and deportations. We also know that organized communities are empowered communities.”
Still, Chan said, immigrants in the community should know their rights. She recommended members of the community to print out and review “red cards” from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. The cards list certain constitutional rights, such as not answering the door, not answering any questions, and not signing any documents.
Chan also recommends community members become familiar with local rapid response networks available in the area.
Resources available for undocumented Californians
California funds immigration services, including legal services, through several nonprofits.
Valley Watch Rapid Response Network: 559-206-0151
