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.<\/p>\n
The sightings have increased fear among many farm workers.<\/p>\n
Lionel Perez tells Action News his uncle Pablo was detained while working at an almond orchard outside Kerman on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Pablo, who is undocumented, is now believed to be at a South Valley detention center.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Several local leaders attended, including Mayor Jerry Dyer, who spoke about a recent call he had with the owner of Fowler packing.<\/p>\n
“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<\/p>\n
The Department of Homeland Security continues to stand by its plans to detain anyone who is in the country illegally.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Advocates say everyone deserves dignity as they work to harvest the fields that feed that nation.<\/p>\n
A sentiment Congressman Jim Costa echoed.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
For news updates, follow Elisa Navarro on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2026 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n