A massive series of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids early this week have rocked Santa Maria and Guadalupe.
ICE seized at least 17 people on Monday, according to several activist groups who track the deportation raids.
805Undocufund stated that 16 people were taken in Santa Maria and another in Guadalupe.
“The city of Santa Maria has been the No. 1 targeted city in Santa Barbara County!” the organization wrote on Instagram. “They took a minimum of 16 people from Santa Maria and one from Guadalupe today. If a loved one has not made it home, please call the hotline for support.”
The flurry of detainments marks a sudden and abrupt new effort to raid communities. While ICE detainments have happened consistently for more than a year, the latest seizures signal an amped up, intensified push to deport individuals. Many activists, community members and families are on edge. The city of Santa Maria canceled its regularly scheduled Tuesday night meeting because of a lack of quorum.
The “kidnappings” come on the heels of ICE detaining a parent of an Allan Hancock College student. The taking happened in Parking Lot 2 and then ICE officers immediately left the campus.
“This incident has caused concern across the Hancock community, and we remain united in supporting our undocumented students and students from mixed-status families,” the college said in a statement. “Allan Hancock College strongly condemns immigration enforcement actions that create fear and uncertainty for our students and their families. Our campuses should be places where every student can learn, grow and pursue their goals without fear. “
The detainment happened at 9:45 a.m. Monday. The college was not notified in advance that ICE officers would be on campus, and the college did not participate in or assist with the enforcement action, according to a statement.
Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limon issued a statement after the Hancock detainment.
“I am deeply disturbed to learn that there has been recent ICE activity on the Santa Maria Allan Hancock Campus,” Limon said. “Our college campuses are meant to make our students feel safe, supported, and valued. Unfortunately, today a family has been torn apart, and a student has been ripped away from their parent. These raids instill fear in our students, cause chaos, and result in broken trust and effectiveness between the community and those charged to keep us safe.”
Also, footage has also surfaced on social media of a vehicle driven by an ICE officer rear-ending another vehicle in Santa Maria.
“ICE crashed into a parked car after jumping out to kidnap a community member this morning,” according to a social media post from 805 Rapid Response Network. “ICE Has been terrorizing our neighbors in Santa Maria ALL MORNING! If you have any information on the incidents today, please call our hotline or send a message ! 805 870 8855.”
The video shows an officer unsuccessfully attempting to stop the vehicle from hitting the other car after he jumped out of it.
