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Reports of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the Central Valley this week have local business and civic leaders responding to concerns in the immigrant community.
Several posts and videos circulating on social media Monday and Tuesday appear to show ICE agents conducting traffic stops and detaining people in Fresno, Madera, Parlier and Selma.
The nonprofit Faith in the Valley said in an Instagram post Tuesday that it had confirmed reports that a van carrying workers from Selma to their jobs in Bakersfield was stopped by ICE “and everyone on board was detained.”
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The nonprofit runs the Valley Watch Network, which includes a hotline for people to report incidents. Messages left for Faith in the Valley were not returned Tuesday.
The Valley Watch Network also posted Monday about a “confirmed” ICE sighting near Ashlan and Cornelia avenues in Fresno. The post also said six targeted detentions throughout Fresno had been confirmed.
Univision Reporter Nicole Santos reported that ICE told her that they detain undocumented immigrants in Fresno every day.
Parlier Mayor Alma Beltran acknowledged the reports of ICE activity in Parlier in a post Tuesday but said the city has not received confirmation of the activity. She said she wanted residents to know their concerns are being heard.
Beltran wrote that she will provide updates if the city receives confirmation of enforcement activity in Parlier.
“Until then, please look out for one another, and know that Parlier stands together,” she wrote.
Farm leader calls cases ‘isolated’
Manuel Cunha, president of the Nisei Farmers League, said that despite the online reports, there has not been an actual increase in ICE detentions in the Central Valley. He described the recent cases as “isolated.”
“They are focusing on California for the next 30-60 days,” he said. “I don’t know why they’re focused on California right now, other than it’s politically driven. We are concerned, not just farmers, but the community and businesses.”
He said he has not heard of the recent incidents disrupting farming operations. Agricultural work in the Central Valley has slowed, with the harvest season nearing completion and the citrus season yet to start, he added.
Cunha also said he is concerned about AI-generated videos or images being used to stoke fear in immigrant communities.
He urged anyone who sees ICE activity to take accurate pictures and share them with local community advocacy groups.
UFW issues warning, reminds of rights
The United Farm Workers union issued a statement on social media Tuesday, acknowledging reports of stops conducted by federal agents in the Madera and Fresno areas. The group reminded the public to stay calm in such situations, to verify information and to exercise their rights.
They advised those detained to not sign anything without speaking to a lawyer, and echoed Cunha’s advice to record and document activity.
“Chaotic, warrantless immigration raids and roving patrols spread fear and disrupt lives and livelihoods,” the UFW concluded in its post. “They do not belong here: hard working immigrants do.”
