Valley officials try to calm fear and limit misinformation after Kern County Border Patrol operation

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The latest US Customers and Border Protection operation in Kern County, titled “Operation Return to Sender,” has resulted in the arrests of 78 people this week for various crimes including those related to guns, drugs, trafficking, and even sexual abuse of children.

But after a comment on Facebook by the agency, specifically, their El Centro Sector read, “We are planning operations for other locals such as Fresno and especially Sacramento,” many are worried it could result in the arrest of those not involved in ongoing criminal activity locally, including farm workers and other migrant workers. 

“At first it seemed like we were getting a lot of calls from that area but at this point, people are calling from even out of state. We have some clients that are out of state and they’re hearing about what’s happening in California and they’re asking, ‘Is this going to come to my state?’, Immigration Attorney George Rios told me.

“We don’t want to put people in a panic when there is no need to panic but we do want be aware, we want people to know what their rights are, understand what their rights are,” said Rios.

Also for the purpose of easing minds, The City of Huron’s Police Chief Tony Fuentes took to Facebook this week with a message to those concerned Huron residents. He said in part, “The Huron Police Department is here to serve and protect every member of our community, regardless of where you come from or your immigration status.”

“We don’t do anything with ICE or any immigration law status. Everyone here in Huron, if you live here you are the community. So, we made it a clear point to address that,” Chief Fuentes told me Friday.

Now, it’s a battle against misinformation for him and his staff, as speculation and rumors swirl on social media. One post he says they were contacted about, falsely claimed ICE agents had taken people from a local laundry mat, a spot he called a popular location within the city. 

“That right away starts creating, stirring the population of people not wanting to come out of their residence. People didn’t show up to work. We were informed a lot of people didn’t go to work,” said Fuentes of the post and similar misinformation seen.

Moving forward, he shared with me the hope is to add even more protections for those undocumented workers and people in Huron.

“California is a sanctuary state and we’re working hand-in-hand now with the mayor and city manager, and our attorney to try and guarantee that we become a sanctuary city.”

As of now, Huron Police, Fresno Police, and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office say they’ve received no word of such an operation coming to the area.