Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) says the Kern County immigration sweep that resulted in 78 arrests would be the last major effort in the San Joaquin Valley.

Operation Return to Sender conducted by Customs and Border Protection caused fear, protests, and speculation about the extent of immigration actions — especially in light of threats from President-elect Donald Trump about “mass deportations.”

CBP Commissioner Pete Flores told Costa that following the Kern County arrests the federal agency had concluded its efforts and “they would reassess where they would go from there,” Costa said during a Saturday news conference.

However, the Border Patrol’s official Facebook account from the El Centro Sector says they have planned operations for Fresno and Sacramento. Multiple emails from GV Wire seeking clarification from CBP were not returned.

Unclear Messaging from Feds on Immigration Operations: Valley Congressmen

All of the people arrested had criminal backgrounds, the agency said. But the United Farm Workers Foundation alleged that the detentions went beyond the 78. The foundation said an estimated 192 were detained on Jan. 7-8. In some cases, the detainees were released 300 miles from home, a foundation spokesperson said.

CBP told Congressman David Valadao (R-Hanford) that the immigration operation targeted only known criminals. Constituents told him, however, they feared for their own safety. Valadao said CBP needs to clearly communicate the scope of their operations.

“I think we can all agree known criminals should be expelled from the United States, but it is crucial that future operations are communicated clearly to avoid causing any further alarm among our farmworkers,” Valadao said in a statement. “I urge the Biden administration — and future administrations — to ensure CBP prioritizes targeting criminals rather than those responsible for producing our nation’s food supply.”

He called for immigration reform with a pathway for earned legal status.

During Costa’s conversation with Flores, he was told the operation was confined to Kern County. But he suspected the operation may have gone beyond that location.

“It’s not clear to me that’s the case,” Costa said during the event.

Fresno County Supervisor Luis Chavez said innocent bystanders need to be protected in future CBP sweeps.

“Because it’s a broad approach, innocent bystanders are getting caught up in the sweeps,” Chavez said. “That’s what we want to prevent.”

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All Those Arrested Had Criminal Backgrounds

All of the 78 people arrested were unlawfully in the U.S., according to Border Patrol’s Facebook account. Those arrested were from Peru, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Ecuador, Mexico, and China.

One person was a convicted sex offender found guilty of raping an 8-year-old girl.

Another was a felon who also had a weapon. The agency seized more than 36 pounds of marijuana and seven grams of methamphetamine.

Others had DUI convictions, vandalism, and petty theft, the post stated.

Raids occurred at grocery stores, a Home Depot, a gym, and a gas station, according to the UFW, based on community reports. The CBP notified the Bakersfield Police Department, according to Daniel Larios, spokesperson for the UFW Foundation. Bakersfield police did not return a request for confirmation from GV Wire.

Many Facebook commenters speculated that agents racially profile to conduct raids and that undocumented people without criminal convictions would be affected. To those comments, the Border Patrol said they “highly recommend that anyone without documents get them.”

They also said Border Patrol agents work “harmoniously alongside those that labor heroically in agriculture and otherwise.”

The UFW could not say whether the 192 detained had criminal backgrounds, but Larios said families were disrupted.

“I can’t speculate on everyone who has been taken into custody, but we have heard from several family members of people being detained and released, some of whom have been released 300 miles from their homes,” Larios said.

Related Story: Fresno Protesters Flood Streets, Demand End to Deportations

Fresno a Target, Along with Sacramento

While Costa said Saturday that operations were concluded and the agency would reassess where to go next, the Border Patrol’s official Facebook account said it has planned operations for Fresno and “especially Sacramento.”

Costa countered that Border Patrol’s jurisdiction only extends 100 miles from the border — which includes the coast. A map of the CBP’s jurisdiction using the 100-mile jurisdiction line ends near Sanger, according to Fresno Building Healthy Communities. It includes all of western Fresno County.

The Border Patrol says it has the authority to enforce federal law anywhere in the U.S.

Fresno Police, Sheriff’s Office not Involved in Sweeps

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said it has not been involved in operations with CBP. The sheriff’s office explained that immigration isn’t within its job description as that is a federal responsibility.

In addition, the sheriff’s office reminded crime victims that it responds to calls for service regardless of immigration status.

In a statement, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said the city, including the police, would not participate in immigration enforcement.

“As a city, we do not participate in or enforce federal immigration matters,” Dyer said. “That is the role of the federal government. Our priority is to build trust within our diverse community and ensure everyone feels valued, safe, and supported, regardless of their immigration status.”

Correction: A previous version of this story said the Bakersfield Police Department worked with Border Patrol, but they were only notified.