Immigrant community in LA on edge amid reports of ICE raids
FILE PHOTO (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
LOS ANGELES – What appeared to be a series of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in the Los Angeles area had some local officials and immigrant-rights activists on edge Friday, again heightening fears of widespread raids anticipated under President Donald Trump’s hard-line stance on illegal immigration.
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez spoke at the beginning of Friday morning’s council meeting to express concern about the activity.
“Colleagues, this morning we have been receiving reports from my district and from others about aggressive immigration raids and enforcement,” Hernandez said.
“My team and I have been in contact with community members and rapid response organizers since early this morning. The stories we are hearing are heartbreaking and indefensible. When we fought to make Los Angeles a sanctuary city last year, it’s because this is what we feared. We feared for our neighbors, for our families for our children, families being ripped apart.
We feared for people who would be targeted by weak-minded politicians who rely on ripping families apart.”
The nature and extent of the law enforcement activities weren’t clear.
Ron Gochez of Union del Barrio and the Community Self-Defense Coalition — a group of more than 60 immigrant rights organizations — alleged that the Los Angeles Police Department was involved in at least one of the operations carried out in South Los Angeles, in violation of the city’s stance against taking part in federal immigration enforcement.
He circulated videos taken Friday morning showing LAPD officers on scene of a “Border Patrol/ICE raid” at a home near 41st Street and Avalon.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell issued a statement late Friday saying he understands “there are concerns regarding immigration enforcement activity occurring in the city today.”
But he refuted claims the department was assisting in any immigration actions.
“This morning LAPD was in Newton Division assisting with traffic control as Homeland Security was attempting to arrest a suspect wanted for human trafficking,” McDonnell said. “Any questions involving this investigation should be directed to their department.
“I want to be absolutely clear: the LAPD does not participate in civil immigration enforcement. This has been the department’s policy since 1979, and it remains unchanged today.”
The Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) has also warned communities about ICE raids and reminded immigrants about their rights.
“Beware of potential ICE raids this week!” AJSOCAL wrote in an Instagram post.
“ICE enforcement has been reported in various regions of LA and Orange Counties…The Trump administration’s unconscionable plan to remove millions of immigrants living throughout our nation continues to employ aggressive ICE enforcement tactics targeting our homes, our workplaces, and public spaces. Get prepared NOW, stay vigilant, and fight for your rights!”
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(With CNS report)
