Fresno County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld and several local elected officials on Tuesday called on leaders nationwide to condemn attacks on Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, arguing that political rhetoric and California’s sanctuary laws have increased risks to law enforcement and the public.

At a press conference at the Fresno County Hall of Records, Bredefeld said ICE agents are facing escalating hostility during enforcement operations and urged elected officials at all levels to publicly support federal, state, and local law enforcement.

“I, personally, strongly condemn the growing attacks on ICE agents and the reckless political rhetoric coming from the radicals and extremists that vilify federal law enforcement for simply doing their job as required by the law,” Bredefeld said, adding that law enforcement officers are “one incident away” from violence similar to clashes seen elsewhere in the country.

Bredefeld blamed California’s sanctuary law, SB 54, which limits cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities, saying it forces ICE agents to conduct arrests in neighborhoods rather than in jails.

“If not for sanctuary policies, criminals would be handed over to ICE in jail settings,” he said. “If they weren’t acting in a lawless way by creating sanctuary states, which is against a federal law, we would not have to have ICE officers going into the community and finding these kinds of animals. So they’re the ones who put them in this position in the situation that they’re in.”

Bredefeld Responds to Questions on Protests, ICE Tactics

When asked by reporters about concerns raised by immigrant communities in the Central Valley, including fears about attending immigration appointments or other daily activities, Bredefeld rejected the premise, saying ICE is targeting people with serious criminal records.

“I don’t buy the premise that they’re sweeping up innocent people,” he said.

Bredefeld also defended ICE tactics used during arrests in other cities, including reports of agents breaking vehicle windows, saying officers may use force when suspects do not comply.

“If there’s a criminal illegal alien who’s committed rape or murder and they’re not compliant, I want law enforcement to get them out of this country,” he said.

Asked whether there were active ICE operations currently underway in Fresno County, Bredefeld said he was not aware of any and noted that he does not oversee law enforcement activity.

“I’m not involved with their operations, so I can’t answer that,” he said.

Bredefeld was also asked about protests held in Fresno last week related to immigration enforcement. He said demonstrations in Fresno have remained peaceful and said he supports lawful protest.

“Here we’ve had peaceful demonstrations, which, frankly, I fully support,” Bredefeld said.

He said his concerns were focused on violent confrontations involving ICE agents in other parts of the country and warned that unrest could spread if not condemned by elected leaders.

“It doesn’t take long for it to spread to other cities,” he said. “We don’t want that to happen here.”

Bredefeld said peaceful protest does not include obstructing law enforcement vehicles, damaging property or throwing objects at officers, adding that such actions cross the line into violence.

Other Officials Emphasize Peaceful Protest, Legislative Reform

Fresno County Supervisor Buddy Mendes emphasized the importance of peaceful protest, referencing the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. ahead of the upcoming holiday. Mendes said civil rights progress was achieved through nonviolent action, not intimidation or harassment of authorities.

“There are ways to protest peacefully,” Mendes said. “Harassing law enforcement is not one of them.”

Clovis City Councilmember Diane Pearce said Clovis’ reputation as one of the safest cities in the Central Valley is due to community support for law enforcement and coordination across agencies, including federal authorities.

“We rely on all our law enforcement partners to carry out their duties,” Pearce said. “This includes federal immigration authorities.”

Pearce cited a fatal DUI collision in Clovis in December 2024 involving an undocumented immigrant, saying the case shows that Fresno County is not immune from crimes committed by people in the country illegally. She echoed Bredefeld arguing that sanctuary policies prevent ICE agents from making arrests in secure jail settings, increasing risks during community enforcement operations.

“Our ICE agents are not choosing to apprehend these violent offenders out and about in our neighborhood,” Pearce said. “They are being forced to carry out their essential public safety and national security operations among the general public.”

A statement from Assemblyman David Tangipa, read aloud by his staff member, condemned violence against law enforcement officers and called for peaceful debate over immigration policy.

“We can and should vigorously debate public policy,” the statement said. “But there is no justification for attacking individuals who are tasked with carrying out the law.”

Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig urged calm and legislative solutions, acknowledging deep divisions over immigration.

“Our immigration system is absolutely broken, and it needs to be reformed,” Magsig said. “That reform needs to come through legislation.”

Magsig said state and federal lawmakers should focus on fixing the system rather than fueling conflict, adding that violence from any side is unacceptable.

No representatives from immigrant advocacy organizations or opposing political groups spoke at the event. Opposing groups did not respond by time of publication.