MADERA, Calif. (KFSN) — Action News has obtained several videos and photos this week, showing ICE Agents in Central Valley communities, including one captured in Madera on Friday morning.
The sightings have increased fear among many farm workers.
Lionel Perez tells Action News his uncle Pablo was detained while working at an almond orchard outside Kerman on Wednesday.
Pablo, who is undocumented, is now believed to be at a South Valley detention center.
“Even for me as a US citizen I am scared to go out and especially for my parents,” said Lionel Perez, “I keep locations on my family at all times.”
The Nisei Farmers League hosted a press conference at its facility in East Central Fresno Friday, calling on ICE to comply with federal protections governing entry onto farms and other outdoor agricultural operations.
Several local leaders attended, including Mayor Jerry Dyer, who spoke about a recent call he had with the owner of Fowler packing.
“They have had a number of their employes that have been picked up by ICE, people they rely on to pack the fruit,” said Mayor Jerry Dyer
The Department of Homeland Security continues to stand by its plans to detain anyone who is in the country illegally.
Dyer says while he believes in immigration enforcement and protecting the country, he is calling on the president and administration to take a more targeted approach.
“To not cast a wide net but to surgically remove those individuals that are the worst of the worst and avoid doing this type of enforcement in the presence of children.”
Advocates say everyone deserves dignity as they work to harvest the fields that feed that nation.
A sentiment Congressman Jim Costa echoed.
“They are the hardest working people you will ever meet – they are up before sunrise every day with our farmers… this is the critical equation with our farmworkers to put food on Americas dinner table,” said Jim Costa.
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