Resssidents across the Central Valley have reported recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity, prompting local advocacy organizations to share information and safety guidance for residents who may encounter federal agents.

The reports of ICE’s local presence comes as the nation debates President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement blitz force of 3,000 federal agents in Minneapolis and the killing of two protesters, Renee Nichole Good and Alex Jeffrey Pretti, by agents there.

According to Faith in the Valley, a Fresno-based community organization that tracks immigration enforcement activity, at least five community members were detained between Jan. 15 and Jan. 19 in Fresno County and nearby areas.

The organization posts updates on its Instagram account and shares information through a rapid response network when sightings or detentions are reported.

Faith in the Valley said one individual was detained at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Fresno on Jan. 15. Two people were detained in Stockton on Jan. 17, followed by two additional detentions on Jan. 19 — one elsewhere in Fresno County and another near the intersection of Belmont and Mariposa streets in Fresno.

The organization does not release identifying details about those detained due to privacy and safety concerns.

The Clovis Police Department told GV Wire that it was aware of ICE activity in the city on Jan. 19 and confirmed it had been notified in advance.

City Officials Urge Calm

During a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day speech, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said he wasn’t aware of planned ICE operations in the city, although enforcement activity could still occur. 

Dyer urged residents to avoid confronting federal agents and to prioritize safety, noting that federal law enforcement officers have the same authority as local law enforcement.

“We do not want a tragic outcome in our city,” Dyer said, discouraging residents from following agents, surrounding vehicles, or engaging in behavior that could escalate encounters.

What to Do if You See ICE

During an immigration accountability webinar hosted by the Latino Community Foundation on Monday, speakers emphasized that documenting federal immigration enforcement activity can be helpful when done safely.

Journalists and advocates said witnesses should keep their distance, avoid confrontation, and focus on recording identifying details such as vehicles, uniforms, and location.

Similarly, Faith in the Valley encourages residents who witness ICE activity to remain calm and prioritize safety.

According to the organization:

• People can legally video federal agents in public places as long as they keep a safe distance.
• Recording faces, badges, vehicles, and license plates can be useful for documentation.
• Witnesses are encouraged to text the location and any photos or videos to Faith in the Valley’s local rapid response network.
• Any suspected misconduct by ICE agents can be reported through the California Department of Justice’s online reporting portal.

Faith in the Valley operates a rapid response hotline at (559) 206-0151 and posts updates and resources on its social media platforms.

Community members can also use ICE’s online detainee locator to search for individuals who may be in custody.