CENTRAL VALLEY – An unexpected operation by the U.S. Border and Customs Patrol (CBP) in Kern and Tulare Counties resulted in the arrests of 78 undocumented individuals, drawing criticism from residents and sparking a protest in Fresno.
A video posted online shows large crowds in Fresno gathering on Jan. 12 to protest “Operation Return to Sender,” a multi-county effort that CBP officials claim was targeting bad actors. One individual who was detained is accused of the rape of a minor in Visalia while another is wanted in another instance of sex crimes against minors.
CBP reports that all of the individuals were targeted and the agency was not conducting sweeps of farms through the operation.
Despite the agency’s assurances that the arrested individuals were the target of investigations, farmworkers interviewed by various local news media outlets during the investigation stated they were fearful to return to work on the following Monday.
The protests and comments of farmworkers were offset by a post made to the CBP El Centro District showing a public poll that indicated significant support of the agency’s actions. To the question of “Should illegal immigrants with criminal records be…?” 93% of respondents said “deported immediately.” Another 65% responded that the agency’s actions did not make them nervous.
According to various accounts from Border Patrol agents who worked the three-day operation, large quantities of drugs including methamphetamine, marijuana and fentanyl were recovered. A photograph posted to social media by CBP El Centro shows several trash bags full of marijuana.
