Amid mixed reports of Federal immigration enforcement occurring in Fresno County, local leaders and community organizations sought to set the record straight on the interplay between Federal authorities and local law enforcement.
A Saturday media briefing, organized by Fresno County Supervisor Luis Chavez, detailed efforts by local representatives in Congress, the State Legislature, local governments, and community organizations to allay fears of immigration enforcement activities and detail the rights available to residents who may interact with immigration authorities.
The big picture: U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducted a surprise three-day operation in Kern County, dubbed “Return to Sender” that netted 78 arrests of illegal immigrants who had additional criminal activity.
- Over the course of the week, unconfirmed reports of farmworkers in rural Fresno County being met by CBP officials led to widespread absences of workers on farms.
- Chavez, speaking to The Sun on Friday, said it was critical to clarify local authorities’ role in immigration enforcement, regardless of what incidents had or had not occurred in the county.
What they’re saying: “Local law enforcement agencies are focused on criminal activities and not immigration status,” Chavez noted, aiming to reassure the community about the priorities of local police.
- “Let me be clear, I support getting bad people off the streets,” Costa said, though noting that “spreading fear to hardworking people who are contributing every day to the betterment, to the economic opportunities, whether they be in our processing of our food that puts dinner on America’s table every evening… is not the way to deal with fixing our border.”
- “If this is the new normal, this is absolute economic devastation,” Fresno City Council member Nelson Esparza remarked during the briefing.
