Border Patrol Raids in California Spread Fear Among Immigrant Communities
Recent immigration enforcement in Kern County led to widespread detentions, raising concerns about the future of federal deportation policies under the incoming Trump administration.
- U.S. Border Patrol's Operation Return to Sender detained at least 78 individuals in Kern County, though advocates suggest the number may be higher.
- The raids targeted predominantly Latino farmworkers, with reports of detentions at workplaces, gas stations, and public spaces, causing fear and disruptions in the community.
- Advocacy groups and unions claim that some detainees were U.S. citizens or legal residents, challenging official claims that the operation focused on individuals with criminal records.
- The raids have led to increased school absences, empty workplaces, and heightened anxiety among immigrant families, with some avoiding public spaces entirely.
- State leaders and community organizations are calling for stronger protections, including proposed legislation to create 'safe zones' around schools and limit federal immigration enforcement in sensitive areas.
San Francisco Chronicle 
Al Jazeera 
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