Detention of Hundreds of Immigrants Rouses Fear, Sparks Protest

Immigration agents have arrested hundreds of undocumented workers and immigrants in Southern California this month in sweeps that are causing widespread fear in local immigrant and Latino communities. People have taken to the streets in response to the detention of as many as 500 immigrants, and groups are currently planning a large demonstration for this Tuesday. In light of recent protests and pressure from lawmakers, Department of Homeland Security officials announced Friday they would review the policy. The sweeps, which began on June 1 and have been conducted well inside the US/Mexico border, have had a marked impact on immigrant communities. "Everyone is afraid," said Elidia Celestina, 19, who came from Mexico five months ago and lives in Ontario, one of the cities that has been targeted by the sweeps. "We're like mice, hiding in our homes," Celestina told the Chicago Sun Times. Celestina is not alone. Many undocumented immigrants living in the targeted cities have been gripped by fear. Those cities include Ontario, in San Bernardino County; Corona, in Riverside County; and Escondido, in San Diego County. All the cities are at least 40 miles from the US/Mexico border, with Ontario being over 125 miles away. According to local papers, immigration officials have picked up people at grocery stores, bus stops, and while walking down the street and driving in their cars. "These sweeps have created a pervasive fear and even anger among Latinos regardless of their immigration status," Shaheena Ahmad Simons told the Associated Press. Simons is a Los Angeles attorney with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF), a nonprofit organization. [more]