Immigration Forum in Santa Maria Teaches Workers How to Handle a Visit from ICE
SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Ranchers and other similar business owners in Santa Maria received some instructions on procedures if they receive a visit from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Attorneys, advocates, and a representative of congressman Salud Carbajal’s office made presentations, but some attendees have had direct encounters with ICE agents that have left them shaken.
A significant portion of Santa Maria's working population are Hispanic farm workers and ranchers, and the recent escalation of ICE activities nearby and around the nation have directly impacted the community.
“With everything going on, it seems like, you know, there's just a big push on the federal agents to, you know, detain or arrest community members who might be undocumented or who are who are documented,” says MICOP’s program manager Fernando Martinez.
A forum was held for business owners and ranchers in Santa Maria Tuesday morning.
“Tu Tiempo Digital, MICOP, CAUSE, among other community based organizations like the Undocufund, are organizing a community forum to talk to different agencies, employers on how to respond,” says Martinez.
Additionally, wives and children of latino detainees were present to share their testimonials of direct interactions with ICE agents.
One woman, who declined to give her name, shared her story in Spanish.
“They got closer and saw, and the kids were crying in the back. And the boy began to say, ‘No my dad, my dad is good. He hasn’t done anything.’”
The Mixteco / Indigena Community Organizing Project’s (MICOP) program manager Fernando Martinez says ICE agents are carrying out arrests with questionable methods.
“Workplaces are private property,” says Martinez. “And that means federal agents have to be able to demonstrate that they have a warrant and they have to show that up to the employer. They can't just go in at the workplace in start arresting community members. And this is the same thing at any workplace.”
Thorough instructions of the rights of Hispanic employees and proper procedures when encountering ICE agents were provided in various presentations at the forum.
“They didn’t show him a single picture of him, not a single record. Everything that they showed him photos of another person and that they told him that it was a misunderstanding, but they had him there anyways.”
Emphasis was made that businesses and work sites are private property, and that federal agents are prohibited from entering without proper warrants.
If any local residents see anything questionable, they’re encouraged to call the Immigration Coalition Rapid Response Network at (805) 870-8855.
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