SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Federal agents from the DEA Border Patrol and ICE detained several people at Mission Bay. According to witnesses who filmed the apparent raid, people were taken from their campers who were previously ticketed a few hours prior.
“They took a husband and left behind the wife and two kids. The wife was emotional, and the kids looked traumatized,” said Arturo Gonzales an immigration activist.
Arturo Gonzales, a self-proclaimed immigration activist, filmed the operation trying to get information from federal agents and questioned San Diego Police officers on the scene.
“We are not sure if you guys are tipping off ICE,” asked Gonzales.
“No, that sounds more like our parking enforcement crew that comes out at night,” answered an SDPD Officer.
Mayor Todd Gloria says San Diego Police officers are not working directly with ICE in immigration raids but sometimes do end up in the mix.
“In the instances when you may see a San Diego police officer on the scene, it is generally called cover now. In a situation when a law enforcement officer, federal, state or local gets in a situation where they feel unsafe, they will do a radio call called cover now. Units all over the city, doesn’t matter what jurisdiction, will come to protect them,” said Mayor Gloria.
Mayor Gloria says the aggressive federal action is not welcome in San Diego.
“I have made very clear that I believe these ICE raids are making our city less safe. The very fact that ICE has to call for police backup when they are performing these actions proves my point. It is reducing safety in our community, not just for community members, citizens, and immigrants, but for also the federal officers that are carrying out these missions,” said Mayor Gloria.
Gloria says his San Diego officers will continue to follow state laws.
“The State of California by law will not allow us to perform any immigration enforcement and I’m fine with that,” said Gloria.
ICE released the following statement:
“On July 15, officers with Enforcement and Removal Operations San Diego, in coordination with Homeland Security Investigations, conducted immigration-related arrests in the Mission Bay area. During the course of one of the arrests, an individual confirmed to be a member of the violent transnational criminal organization Tren de Aragua violently resisted apprehension. The individual kicked an HSI special agent in the chest and bit an ERO officer in the forearm. Despite the assault, officers placed the individual in custody, along with four other illegal aliens.”
“Let it be clear: physical assaults on federal officers will not be tolerated under any circumstances. These acts not only endanger the lives of law enforcement personnel, but they also undermine public safety and the rule of law. ICE remains steadfast in its mission to enforce federal immigration law with professionalism, accountability, and respect for the communities we serve.”
“ICE San Diego has presented charges for assault on a Federal Law Enforcement Officer to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and we will pursue all available legal avenues to ensure justice is served.”
“ICE is committed to maintaining the safety and security of our nation, and we will continue to carry out our duties with the utmost dedication and integrity.”
