National ICE arrest surge raises concerns among Coachella Valley immigrant families
COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — Federal immigration officials have significantly increased enforcement efforts nationwide, with sources saying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested about 10,000 people over a five-day period.
According to the report, ICE is now aiming to make at least 2,000 arrests per day as the Trump administration continues its immigration crackdown. The Department of Homeland Security says nearly 70% of ICE arrests involve people who have been charged with or convicted of a crime in the United States, though officials have not released details about those arrested in the latest operation.
The increased enforcement is drawing attention in the Coachella Valley, where in one local neighborhood, resident Norma Ortiz says fear of immigration enforcement has dramatically changed daily life.
"Right now, there's no one out in the streets because of fear," Ortiz said. "We've seen enforcement along this street and they just wait for people to come out and then trap them... they're basically surrounding this community."
Ortiz says the fear has also affected her own family.
"Last week, they took my nephew," she said. "My son has autism. I've canceled my son's appointments. I haven't taken him in two months out of fear."
Local immigration attorney Claudio Koren says the increase in enforcement is not unexpected following billions of dollars in new federal funding approved for the Department of Homeland Security earlier this year.
"This increase in detention and arrest operations, also here in the Coachella Valley, is not a surprise, but it's impacting the community really bad," Koren said.
Koren says recent court rulings have reaffirmed that people in the United States still have constitutional rights regardless of their immigration status.
"In general, we have to understand we still have a system that provides defense and assistance to the community at large, in particular to immigrants against abuse and things that are unlawful," Koren said.
He encourages anyone with questions about their legal rights to seek guidance from a qualified immigration attorney or accredited legal representative.
It remains unclear whether any of the recent arrests occurred in the Coachella Valley. News Channel 3 reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for information.
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