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Immigrant groups prepare as nationwide ICE raids to begin Sunday

Posted at 5:26 PM, Jul 11, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-12 07:33:00-04

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Raids are expected to begin across the country this weekend targeting undocumented immigrants with deportation orders.

According to the New York Times, ICE agents will target some 2,000 who have deportation orders in at least ten cities. The raids will include "collateral" deportations, meaning undocumented immigrants at the scene may also be detained.

"There is definitely fear," said Benjamin Prado, a member of the 38-year-old group Union Del Barrio.

This weekend, the group will be sending out an unspecified number of patrols in various communities. Prado showed 10News a video recorded by the group on Thursday morning. In it, a tip from neighbors in City Heights led them to two vehicles believed to being driven by ICE agents. The group in turn informed people through different means, including social media posts about the presence of the agents.

Another group taking action is the Council on American-Islamic Relations. On Thursday morning, national CAIR reissued a community advisory ahead of the impending raids.

"When you're stressed the first thing you forget is your rights," said Aleena Jun Nawabi, who heads outreach for CAIR San Diego.

In the advisory, CAIR officials emphasize rights, including not having to open the front door unless there's a warrant.

Those rights are also highlighted in cards and handouts that will be given out by Union Del Barrio. Sources tell 10News that San Diego is not expected to be included among the cities in this first round of raids.

An ICE spokesperson issued the following statement:

“Every day, as part of routine operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Fugitive Operations teams target and arrest criminal aliens and other individuals who are in violation of our nation’s immigration laws for the safety and security of our communities. Due to law-enforcement sensitivities and the safety and security of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, the agency does not comment on ongoing enforcement operations before the conclusion of those actions. ICE prioritizes the arrest and removal of unlawfully present aliens who have received criminal convictions; have pending criminal charges; or are determined to be a national security or public safety threat.”