Congressman Josh Harder entered the fray over the conduct of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Thursday as he led an oversight investigation Thursday of the ICE field office in Stockton.
Harder and his staff inspected personnel facilities, operations rooms, and processing areas. They met with ICE agents to seek answers on detentions in Stockton.
In October, more than 20 people were abruptly detained at the Stockton ICE field office. They were ultimately loaded into convoys of vans without any explanation to the public.
“My staff and I just came from the ICE center here in Stockton where our neighbors have been unlawfully detained, demonstrators have been brutally attacked, and families have been torn apart,” Harder said during a press conference following the inspection.
“We cannot allow this violence to continue, not in Minnesota and not in Stockton – that’s why I demanded that ICE open its doors to federal oversight, and we are here to report back directly to our community. I’m grateful to be joined by so many Stockton leaders – we’re here to make clear that Stockton is united in reining in these out of control attacks.”
Harder vowed to vote against any increased funding for ICE until five key reforms were met:
*No more operations without warrants
*Mandatory body cameras
*No more masked agents
*Strict limits on use of force
*No deporting U.S. citizens
Harder was joined by Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom, Senator Jerry McNerney, Councilmember Mario Enríquez, Supervisor Paul Canepa, Faith in the Valley Program Manager Nora Zaragoza-Yáñez, Victory in Praise Church Senior Pastor Trent Washington, and El Concilio California President and CEO Jose Rodriguez.
Student walk-out today
planned at Turlock High
Turlock High students are planning a walkout today from noon to 2 p.m.
Organizers indicated it is in “solidarity with the Minneapolis community and in honor of the lives lost to the violence by ICE. This includes growing fear surrounding immigration enforcement activity.”
Youth leaders say concerns about ICE are affecting students’ ability to feel safe at school and in the community.
The walkout starts with a departure from Turlock High to nearby Crane Park.
They will then march to a rally at Central Park.
