Congressman Adam Gray, D-Merced, and California’s two U.S. senators want answers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement after reports of increased sweeps and resident detentions in the Fresno County town of Mendota.

In a letter to Acting ICE Director David Venturella, the lawmakers requested details about the operations’ purpose and scope, the number of individuals detained, and safeguards to protect due process and minimize disruption to families and businesses.

“Mendota is a hardworking agricultural community, and families should not have to fear going to work or taking their kids to school,” lawmakers Gray, and Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff  wrote. “Federal immigration laws must be enforced, but how that happens matters. We need answers about what’s taking place, who is being targeted and whether people’s rights are being protected.”

Mendota, Fresno Mayors Raise Concerns

The Democratic lawmakers also asked whether local law enforcement was consulted, where detainees are being held, and what steps ICE is taking to address concerns raised by Mendota Mayor Victor Martínez, a Republican, and the town’s city council. Martínez was born in El Salvador.

Last week, Martínez posted social media updates on the whereabouts of suspected ICE vehicles. “Currently, they’re on 7th Street, be careful,” he posted on Facebook in Spanish.”

Another Republican mayor, Jerry Dyer of Fresno, also is critical of ICE’s tactics and the enforcement sweeps.

“What I do not support is people in the community living in fear,” Dyer said. “The recent immigration enforcement in our agricultural fields and our construction sites is unacceptable. … Is that really what we voted for in America? I don’t believe so — I know I didn’t.”

Role of Farmworkers in Valley Economy

The letter from the lawmakers emphasized the importance of protecting public safety and due process while recognizing the essential role farmworkers play in the Central Valley economy and America’s food supply.

“The people of Mendota deserve to know why these operations are taking place and what safeguards are in place to protect their families and community,” the lawmakers said. “The federal government’s responsibility to enforce immigration law does not give it license to create fear across an entire community.”