Feds deny rumors of immigration raids in Sonoma County

U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement said it has not conducted any enforcement actions in Sonoma County nor detained anyone in the county this week.|

The federal agency that enforces immigration laws denied rumors swirling through Sonoma County's Latino community on Friday that agents had conducted several local raids this week and set up checkpoints in the area to snare undocumented immigrants.

U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement has not conducted any enforcement actions in Sonoma County nor detained anyone in the county this week, according to an ICE official Friday.

“Rumors of indiscriminate ‘raids,' checkpoints and sweeps throughout Northern California are false, dangerous and irresponsible,” the agency said in a statement.

Fear is spreading through the immigrant community following a series of raids last week that led to more than 680 arrests in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, San Antonio and New York City. ICE said those operations targeted public safety threats.

“Our operations are targeted and lead driven, prioritizing individuals who pose a risk to our communities. Examples would include known street gang members, child sex offenders, and deportable foreign nationals with significant drug trafficking convictions,” the agency said in a statement.

Juan Hernandez, executive director at La Luz Center in Sonoma, said his organization received unconfirmed reports that ICE agents showed up at the Luna Apartments in The Springs area of Sonoma Valley, at the local Lucky supermarket and at a checkpoint on Highway 29 in Napa. None of the reports could be verified, he said.

Hernandez said the rumors speak to the overall fear undocumented immigrants have of being deported. Many are wondering what they will do with their kids, their homes and their paychecks should they be detained, he said.

Employers also have contacted the center, saying their workers have been raising similar questions, he said.

La Luz will sponsor a legal workshop for immigrants next Thursday, Hernandez said. For information, contact La Luz at 707-938-5131.

Staff Writer Derek Moore can be reached at 707-521-5336 or derek.moore@pressdemocrat.com. Staff Writer Martin Espinoza can be reached at 707-521-5213 or martin.espinoza@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @renofish.

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