FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Fear surrounding recent immigration enforcement activity in the Central Valley is affecting local businesses, families and school attendance, as community members say they are increasingly afraid to leave their homes.
Fresno County Supervisor Luis Chavez says people should not be afraid to attend public events, including the Fresno County Fair, which kicked off Thursday.
Asked what he would do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, were to violate state law and enter the Fresno County Fairgrounds without a warrant, Chavez said he would consider legal action.
“I would personally contact Attorney General Bonta to take some litigation on that. We don’t want people to be fearful,” Chavez said.
Chavez says because the fairgrounds are owned by Fresno County, county officials and personnel are required to follow Senate Bill 54, also known as California’s “sanctuary state” law.
The law limits state and local law enforcement agencies and personnel from assisting with federal immigration enforcement, including interrogating, detaining or arresting people for immigration enforcement purposes.
His comments come after reports of several people being detained by ICE in the Central Valley over the past week.
Chavez says ICE agents are not welcome at the fairgrounds.
“They’re not keeping anyone safe. We have local law enforcement that’s already involved, but the community trusts local law enforcement. That’s not what we want here, and they’re not welcomed here,” Chavez said.
Despite those assurances, many residents say they remain afraid.
Some people are avoiding trips to the grocery store, while others are worried about taking their children to school.
That fear was visible Wednesday morning at the Madera Swap Meet, where vendors described empty spaces and significantly lower foot traffic.
One vendor said customers who once regularly stopped to browse are now leaving quickly.
“Rápido se van, ya no se ponen a preguntar y ver las cosas.”
In English: “They leave quickly—they no longer stop to ask questions or look at things.”
Another vendor said the difference was especially noticeable for a Wednesday.
“Aunque es miércoles, todo se llena y ahora miren—nada.”
In English: “Even though it’s Wednesday, everything used to be full, and now look—nothing.”
For vendors who rely on daily sales, the impact can be immediate.
One vendor said even longtime customers who normally purchase everyday staples have stopped coming.
“Como ahora todas mis clientes que vienen se llevan frijol, maíz, chile seco, ahora no vinieron.”
In English: “Since all my customers who come by now take home beans, corn and dried chili peppers, they didn’t come today.”
The slowdown can also mean financial losses for vendors whose produce has a limited shelf life.
“If people aren’t here to buy it, the produce can go bad,” vendors said.
Several vendors said they are accustomed to hearing rumors about immigration raids. But they say this time feels different because of videos circulating on social media.
“Ahora es diferente porque la gente ya ve videos que sí es realidad. Antes eran rumores hay videos en las redes sociales.”
In English: “Now it’s different because people are seeing videos showing that it’s real. Before, they were just rumors. Now there are videos on social media.”
The concern is also extending into local classrooms.
The Mendota Unified School District reported about 130 more student absences Wednesday compared with the same time last week.
On social media, mothers expressed concerns about sending their children to school amid reports of immigration enforcement activity.
In a statement to parents, Mendota Unified Superintendent Paul Lopez said the district has policies and procedures in place to protect students and families.
“Mendota Unified has board policies and administrative regulations in place that address immigration enforcement and establish procedures for protecting the rights and privacy of our students and families,” Lopez said.
Chavez says the effects of the fear are reaching beyond individual families.
He said some residents who are genuinely afraid are staying home from work, while others who do go to work risk being separated from their children if they are detained.
“When people are genuinely scared and don’t go to work—they go to work and they show up, they get apprehended, their children are now stuck at home,” Chavez said.
He says the county may then have to rely on social services to help families affected by those circumstances.
With the Fresno County Fair now underway, Chavez says his priority is making sure everyone feels safe and included.
He says ICE agents are not welcome at the fairgrounds and that local law enforcement is already responsible for keeping the community safe.
For families who remain concerned about recent immigration enforcement activity, local organizations and legal service providers are offering resources and support.
Anyone who knows someone who was recently detained can find information about available assistance on our website.