Authorities confirm immigration enforcement activity in Thermal

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) — A viewer-submitted video appears to show several law enforcement agents with a person on the ground Thursday morning in Thermal.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department said deputies were notified of a disturbance shortly before noon in the area of Grapefruit Boulevard and Church Street. Deputies were later told the activity was connected to immigration enforcement in the area.

The Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice says the man seen on the ground experienced a medical emergency during the incident.

“We can confirm that a medical crisis occurred resulting in the person being transported to a hospital," said Michelle Monjaraz, one of the group's organizers.

The group also says it has seen an increase in immigration enforcement activity across the Coachella Valley.

Monjaraz said the organization has reported three confirmed immigration enforcement incidents in the valley since Wednesday. She said reports often come from people in the community who report suspected ICE or Border Patrol activity to the group's local patrollers and hotline.

"The community is our eyes out in the valley," Monjaraz said.

Monjaraz said the impact of immigration enforcement extends beyond individual incidents, saying some people in the community do not feel safe.

Cal Fire also confirmed that its personnel had been asked to stage nearby. The agency said it could not provide additional details about the incident.

At this time, officials have not confirmed what led to the enforcement activity or whether anyone was arrested or detained.

News Channel 3 has reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for additional information and clarification about the operation but has not yet received a response.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.