On Friday, Jan. 16, immigrant rights advocates, community leaders and organizations came together to hold a press conference to respond to comments made in support of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by Fresno County Supervisors Nathan Magsig, Buddy Mendes and Board Chair Garry Bredefeld during a news conference they held three days earlier.
Bredefeld made statements in support of federal agents coming into communities, saying that “ICE agents are not a danger or threat to our communities.”
“I personally strongly condemn the growing attacks on ICE agents and the reckless political rhetoric coming from the radicals and extremists that vilify federal law enforcement for simply doing their jobs,” he said.
Bredefeld could not comment on any attacks happening locally, and when asked why he held the press conference, he claimed it was a “stupid question” and that ICE was under attack.
In return, immigrant rights groups came together to speak out against these remarks.
“These supervisors have demonstrated a profound disconnect from the communities that they were elected to serve,” said Sukaina Hussain, deputy director of strategic initiatives at California Immigrant Policy Center.
Hussain shared more on how local immigrant individuals and families are affected by statements like Bredefeld’s.
“Immigrant families here in the Central Valley are the lifeline of our key industries. They are our friends, our neighbors and our families. These indiscriminate and hateful immigration raids not only jeopardize our economy, they also fragment our community.” she said.
Lourdes Medina, policy and advocacy associate for SIREN Immigrant Rights, urged those watching to take action in support of their communities.
“It will take all of you to call your [county] supervisors, share your stories of what ICE in the community means – what immigration, deportation and detention means – and then maybe they will remember who they work for,” said Medina.
There have been several recent sightings of ICE in and around Fresno since these remarks. On Monday, Jan. 19, a community member was detained on the corner of Belmont and Fresno streets, according to Faith in the Valley, the organization running the Valley Watch Network, a rapid response team that monitors and verifies ICE activity.
Organizations are urging community members to learn about their constitutional rights and assert them if they encounter an ICE agent.
“The best thing you can do is know your rights. Prepare yourself and your family,” said Medina.
Individuals who see or suspect ICE activity and would like to report it can do so by contacting the Valley Watch Network hotline at 559- 206-0151.
