Overview: ICE has arrested over 722 people and detained over 56,397 immigrants in the past ten days, with 46% of detainees having no criminal history. The Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice has reported recent ICE operations in the Inland Empire, including at Home Depots in Moreno Valley and Riverside. Community leaders are taking a stand against the raids and have provided advice on what to do if encountered by ICE agents, including remaining calm, verifying their identity, and asserting rights. An immigration forum will be held on Monday, July 14, to answer community members’ questions about deportation and detained loved ones.
Aryana Noroozi
Of the nearly 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. as of 2022, according to The Pew Research Center California had the highest number of undocumented immigrants at 1.8 million.
Within the first ten days of June, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made 722 arrests, according to the Deportation Data Project. Recent data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement also indicates that ICE has detained over 56,397 immigrants nationwide as of June 15th, 46% of which have no criminal history.
The Inland Empire has also experienced a number of recent ICE sightings, leaving the community to fight back and protect fellow members.
According to the National Catholic Reporter, in late June, federal agents detained a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Montclair on church property. On that same day, agents chased several men into the parking lot of St. Adelaide parish in Highland.
Community organization, The Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice (IC4IJ), also reported recent ICE activity and operation sightings throughout the inland region.
Over the Fourth of July weekend, IC4IJ reported a confirmed ICE operation at the Home Depot on Eucalyptus Avenue in Moreno Valley. Citings of the federal agency were also reported in Corona, Fontana and Ontario over the weekend. On July 9th, IC4IJ confirmed an ICE operation at the Home Depot on Madison Street in Riverside.
IC4IJ shared this information via their instagram story– a common method used by community members and organizers to spread awareness of local ICE activity.
Community leaders in the region are also taking a stand against the raids. In a statement on recent immigration enforcement activities in the Moreno Valley, Commissioner Nathan Urena, Environmental and Historical Preservation Commission (EHPC), wrote “[W]ith reports of immigration enforcement activities being conducted within the City of Moreno Valley, I am concerned for all resident’s safety and wellbeing at this time regardless of their immigration status.”
Urena then went on to share a three step list of what to do during an interaction with ICE agents – remain as calm as possible, verify their identity and assert your rights, which includes not permitting entrance to a home or vehicle without a valid warrant, and if detained, ask for a lawyer or consulate contact as well. He also recommended documenting the encounter with photos and videos when possible.
He further emphasized the importance of reporting these incidents to legal aid or advocacy groups such as Todec or Inland County Legal Services.
On Monday July 14, The San Bernardino Community Service Center Inc. is holding an Immigration Forum in which it will answer community member questions about deportation and detained loved ones. The forum will be held in person at the San Bernardino Community Service Center Inc. at 788 N Arrowhead Avenue. It will also be streamed via Facebook live. For more information and to register contact (909) 885-1992.