Rep. Lou Correa returned to Orange County on Tuesday to denounce immigration enforcement operations unfolding across the region, calling the raids “counterproductive” and warning they were causing fear and instability in communities he represents.
Speaking at a press conference near downtown Santa Ana, Correa said he flew back to California late Monday night after learning of ICE activity in the city.
“Sunday, I was here, went to church, doing my usual thing here. Monday, got on a flight yesterday, went to Washington, D.C., got out the flight, heard some very bad news about what was going on in Santa Ana,” he said. “Bottom line, immigration activities in our community, people being rounded up, people in Home Depot being picked up.”
Tuesday’s press conference followed reports that federal agencies conducted operations across Santa Ana on Monday. At least 31 people are currently in custody at ICE detention facilities in Santa Ana, according to Correa, who said he visited the centers twice in recent days.
“There are some people being apprehended, being held … Sunday, I counted 27, I believe today, this morning when I went to visit the ICE center, I think there was 31,” he said.
ICE officials would not confirm any specific enforcement actions in Santa Ana or elsewhere in the county. In a statement Tuesday morning, an agency spokesperson said: “To ensure the safety of our personnel, ICE does not confirm or discuss the existence or status of operations. The agency publicly announces the results of operations when appropriate.”
“As part of its routine operations, ICE arrests aliens who commit crimes and other individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws,” the spokesperson said. “All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States, regardless of nationality.”
Correa noted that federal operations involve multiple agencies, making it difficult to track who is involved. He urged the federal government to pause enforcement activity and consider the consequences.
“What we want is we tell ICE, use restraint,” Correa said. “Don’t come and create fear in our communities. We’re a peaceful community. If you’ve got criminals you gotta go after, so be it. But if you have American immigrants, hardworking families, let them continue to be productive taxpayers of our society.”
On Sunday and again Tuesday morning, Correa said he visited local detention facilities. He said from what he could observe, those being held weren’t violent criminals.
“I didn’t get the background on each individual who was apprehended, but I saw a couple of individuals that looked like they got pulled off a job painting somewhere,” he said. “Why do you pick up working individuals? They’re not serious, violent criminals to the best of my knowledge.”
The press conference included religious leaders and community advocates, many of whom warned the presence of ICE and other federal agents is escalating tensions.
Pastor Lee de León of Templo Calvario Church said a member of his congregation texted him: “Please do not forget about us.”
“We don’t need a military force. We don’t need these individuals coming into our city and stirring up the agitators and others that destroy the peace of our city,” he said.
Marisol Ramirez of the Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development called for an end to the raids and emphasized the impact on working families.
“We demand a stop on the ICE raids,” she said. “These are working-class people. We are talking about families that are not going to return.”
Jose Duran, president of the Anaheim Police Association, said officers are often placed in a difficult position during immigration crackdowns.
“We’re really working with some of the local leaders here, our congressman, some advocacy groups to find a peaceful resolution forward. I think a lot of the issues going on do affect a lot of the law enforcement community. And sometimes we feel we are caught in the middle to kind of restore that order,” he said.
“We acknowledge the importance of addressing immigration issues with compassion, fairness, and adherence to the rule of law,” he added. “However, we are concerned about the acts of public destruction, threats against public safety and violence directed at our police officers.”
In a statement late Monday night, Santa Ana Police Chief Robert Rodriguez said rocks, bottles, mortars and fireworks were used against public safety personnel during protests that day near the federal building in the civic center.
Protests in Santa Ana are expected to continue Tuesday, following demonstrations Monday.