The immigrant communities in Kern County, California, are feeling anxious as the U.S. Border Patrol is conducting enforcement operations in the region this week.
Several videos and images circulating on the internet depict Border Patrol agents capturing individuals at different locations in the area. The United States Customs and Border Protection has acknowledged these operations, stating that they are specifically focused on certain targets.
A spokesperson from CBP stated that the USBP carries out focused enforcement arrests of individuals engaged in smuggling activities within their operational areas. This is done as part of their ongoing efforts to dismantle transnational criminal organizations.
According to Sarah Fuentes, a manager at a Chevron station in Bakersfield, she witnessed Border Patrol officers and agents approaching her customers who were then questioned about their immigration status. Fuentes stated that multiple individuals were subsequently arrested.
Fuentes thought the officers were serving a warrant, but she noticed that they were only targeting Hispanics and field workers.
“We saw it happen again, and we were like, hold on, this is a raid. They’re rounding up people at random, even the field workers. There’s no specific order for them to do that,” she explained during a phone interview. “They’re just targeting anyone who happens to be walking in and working in the fields.”
Fuentes captured the incident through photos and videos, one of which showcases a woman who locked herself in her car while being urged by someone in plain clothes to open her door. Fuentes claims that after approximately 10-15 minutes of refusal, the Border Patrol brought in a truck to block the woman’s vehicle, preventing her from leaving. However, when the press arrived, the agents reportedly released the woman.
According to a post on X, several United Farm Workers members were detained in Kern County as part of the operation.
“Yesterday in Kern County, CA, UFW union members were detained while traveling home from work. We are offering support to them and their families during this time. The purpose of these random actions is not to ensure safety, but rather to instill fear in the hearts of diligent individuals,” stated the post.
According to UFW, it is estimated that around 192 individuals have been detained in Kern County this week.
Antonio De Loera-Brust, the Communications Director for UFW, expressed his astonishment at the unprecedented scale of this operation in the region.
According to reports, there are concerns about the methods being employed by authorities in detaining individuals. The claim that targeted operations are being conducted seems to contradict the evidence of random detentions. People are reportedly being stopped in public areas, gas stations, and other locations without any specific criteria or justification. This raises questions about the fairness and legality of these actions.
Karen Goh, the mayor of Bakersfield, has confirmed to ABC News that the police department is aware of the operations but is not providing assistance to federal agencies.
In a statement shared with ABC News, the Bakersfield Police Department acknowledged the presence of U.S. Border Patrol operations in the City of Bakersfield. However, they emphasized that state law prohibits the use of local or state resources for federal immigration enforcement. The Bakersfield Police Department is committed to prioritizing local public safety duties and reassured residents that they can reach out for police services regardless of their immigration status.
According to Oliver Ma, an attorney with the ACLU of Southern California, the organization has been receiving numerous reports of Border Patrol officers making appearances in farm-working communities and other areas across the county.
According to ABC News, a witness recounted a disturbing incident involving the Border Patrol. The witness stated that while she was refueling her car, the Border Patrol approached her and began questioning her. They even went as far as placing tire spikes behind her car to prevent her from leaving. The witness mentioned that the agents also approached a group of seven individuals who were enjoying their lunch nearby. Shockingly, all seven of them were arrested and taken away.