The United Farm Workers Association (UFW) hosted an online webinar in Spanish this Monday, August 4th, to discuss current ICE operations across the country and the measures one should take if they find themselves in the position of being detained.

Juana Carbajal, Community Coordinator, and Ambar Tovar, practicing Attorney and Director of Legal Services for UFW, led the conversation and answered frequently asked questions from the community.

Information offered in the meeting serves as an informational purpose and does not constitute legal services. Individuals seeking legal assistance for their cases should consult an attorney to oversee their case.

As Immigration and Customs Enforcement conduct mass deportations across the country and California, many are witnessing a repetition in tactics once used in Kern County back in January- racial profiling, fear-mongering, warrantless arrests, and violence.

“Unfortunately, what we are witnessing are mass ICE operations. Recently, we have seen the operations that were conducted in Oxnard, Camarillo, and Ventura. Many of these arrests occurred on job sites by ICE. It has also come to our attention that individuals are being detained on their way to work, at their homes, and in other areas where families reside,” said Tovar

Back in January, during what ICE calls “Operation Return to Sender”, immigration officials arrested farm workers, day laborers at a local Home Depot and a convenience store. Many of these individuals were targeted based on their skin and appearance. Border Patrol had no criminal records on 77 out of 78 individuals they apprehended during their 3-day sweep.

In Camarillo and surrounding areas, cannabis farms became frequently targeted by ICE agents, leading to the death of one individual, Jaime Alanis, 57, who fell from a greenhouse roof during one of the longest and chaotic raids. Alanis later succumbed to his fatal injuries.

Tovar explained that ICE agents will also frequently conduct collateral arrests, meaning that if they are conducting an arrest of a specific person, but other individuals happen to be in the same location as the primary detainee, they will also be apprehended.

“It’s important to note that in certain areas, these operations are not classified as mass operations because it means they usually carry out individual arrests, since they are looking for one specific person. Many of these operations are not massive but that doesn’t mean they can’t be”

“For example, we saw a large-scale operation take place in Camarillo conducted by ICE. That required a lot of effort and resources to carry out. However, not all ICE raids are of that large magnitude,” said Tovar

In regards to why ICE was able to conduct such a large-scale raid at the jobsite in Camarillo, Tovar informed attendees online that ICE had a search warrant registered for that location. Exact details of the operation still have not been provided to attorneys. A search warrant was granted, and about 370 individuals were detained, which were the few details provided to Tovar and others.

Through communication and help with Rapid Response Teams in the area, the UFW was able to identify 371 people who had been arrested by immigration in Camarillo.

“When faced with critical moments where we cannot locate our family members, it’s pivotal to unite and communicate with these Rapid Response Network Teams. These Rapid Response Teams are equipped with the necessary resources and information needed to collect on behalf of the individual arrested or their family, who are being impacted directly.”

Tovar reminded community members of their rights if they are approached or apprehended by ICE. She said that one must emphasise time and time again that they do have the right to not open their doors to immigration or any other form of law enforcement officials.

“The best sanctuary is our homes…, [the best practice] is to not open the doors to these individuals if you do not have knowledge of them having a registered warrant for their home or individual. [Law enforcement] can say they have a warrant for arrest for a person, but without a search warrant, the arrest cannot be conducted”

Tovar highlighted and encouraged that joining Rapid Response Network Teams will help connect individuals with other useful resources, like food support.