Local, state and federal leaders gathered Saturday at The Fresno Center to address recent immigration enforcement actions that have caused widespread fear and disruption in Central Valley immigrant communities.

The press conference, organized by Fresno County Supervisor Luis Chavez, brought together Congressman Jim Costa, State Senator Anna Caballero, local officials and community organizations to clarify the scope of recent Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations and reassure residents about local law enforcement’s role.

According to Congressman Costa, who spoke with CBP’s commissioner, the agency reported 78 arrests in Kern County targeting individuals with criminal records involved in human and drug trafficking.

“Let me be clear, I support getting bad people off the streets,” Costa emphasized, but added that “spreading fear to hardworking people who are contributing every day to the betterment, to the economic opportunities, whether they be in our processing of our food that puts dinner on America’s table every evening… is not the way to deal with fixing our border.”

Uncertainty Surrounds Fresno County Operations

When questioned about operations in Fresno County, Costa acknowledged uncertainty. “The commissioner indicated to me yesterday that there were not arrests made by Customs and Border Protection in Fresno County, but we’ve heard other information and so it’s not clear at this point in time,” he said, adding that he had requested a thorough review of the arrests and their locations.

State Senator Caballero reported her office had verified that farm workers were being detained at gas stations, stores, and during random traffic stops, with incidents occurring in both Kern and Fresno counties. “The reality on the ground is very different than what the report is,” Caballero said.

Caballero also announced $50 million in upcoming state funding – $25 million for the Department of Justice to protect sanctuary jurisdictions and $25 million for nonprofit immigration legal services.

‘The Fear Is Real’

“The fear is real,” said Supervisor Chavez, noting 15-20% worker absences at local food processing facilities. “We 100% support the arrest and prosecution of people hurting our community, but we’re asking CBP to be cognizant so we don’t have collateral damage.”

Officials emphasized that local law enforcement agencies, including Fresno Police and Sheriff’s departments, are not participating in immigration enforcement. They also highlighted available legal resources and rights information for immigrant residents.

The Mexican Consulate representative outlined 24/7 assistance services available to Mexican nationals, while community organizations like Centro La Familia described providing “know your rights” materials and family preparedness planning support.

Organizations are distributing free “red cards” that outline constitutional rights in multiple languages, including Spanish, Hmong and Punjabi, which residents can show to immigration officials if stopped or questioned.

“We stand with you united as one community,” said Fresno City Councilmember Nelson Esparza, emphasizing immigrants’ essential contributions to the region’s economy and society.

Community Leaders Urge Residents to Know Their Rights

Community leaders urged residents to know their rights, avoid opening doors without proper warrants, maintain silence if questioned, and reach out to local organizations for assistance. The press conference demonstrated a unified message of support for immigrant communities while advocating for focused enforcement targeting actual criminal activity.