Luis Chavez reports work absences after Central Valley immigration raids

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Following reports of Border Patrol agents sighting in the Central Valley, Fresno District 3 Supervisor Luis Chavez sent a statement declaring the federal agents’ actions are causing more than “fear” within the immigrant community.

At the beginning of the week, several Border Patrol sightings were reported in Kern County, according to Yourcentralvalley.com’s sister station KGET. Since then, the Border Patrol announced Thursday morning more operations are to come, specifically in places like Fresno and Sacramento.

As a result of these operations, District 3 Supervisor Luis Chavez says, while they understand the focus is on people with criminal records, these operations are “causing fear, anxiety and confusion within our immigrant community,” and adds there have been “reports of absences within places of employment, agricultural, food processing plants, businesses and medical facilities” as a result.

Families and children are currently living in fear, confused and uncertain about sending children to school. We understand the focus is on people with criminal records and we support those efforts. However, in that effort, innocent bystanders are getting caught up in this broad approach and we are asking CBP to keep their focus on the criminal element and ensure working men and women, innocent children are not collateral damage in their operation.
Luis Chavez

Chavez adds local law enforcement, such as Fresno Police and the county’s sheriff’s office, are not involved in any operations related to “these immigration sweeps.” The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office encourages the public to call law enforcement if they are victims of a crime, regardless of their immigration status.