ICE Activity Reported In The Coachella Valley

CATHEDRAL CITY, CA — Video circulating on social media showed what appeared to be U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Monday making arrests in Cathedral City, following numerous ICE sightings and activity over the weekend in the Coachella Valley.

A video posted on Facebook by Inland Coalition for Immigration Justice showed possible ICE agents escorting a man in handcuffs to an unmarked vehicle at 7:35 a.m. Monday at 68395 Ramon Road.

A separate post by the nonprofit organization showed a picture of a man, whose face was blurred out, handcuffed and standing next to two possible ICE agents about 7:40 a.m. Monday outside a Target store at 67750 E. Palm Canyon Drive.

"We are aware of reports and videos circulating on social media regarding federal immigration enforcement activity both in Cathedral City and our surrounding cities. The city of Cathedral City has been a sanctuary city since 2017. In compliance with California state law (SB 54), the city does not coordinate with, assist in, or receive advance notice of federal immigration enforcement operations," city Communications and Events manager Ryan Hunt said in a statement.

"The Cathedral City Police Department does not enforce civil immigration laws and does not ask about immigration status when responding to calls for service," Hunt added.

In Indio, a 34-year-old man, who was wanted for an unspecified immigration violation, struck a mailbox and was detained by ICE on Friday, according to the Indio Police Department.

According to Sgt. Abraham Plata, officers responded to a call for service of a collision about 12:30 p.m. Friday in the 46000 block of Vargas Road.

The driver and three children inside a Ford Focus were hospitalized for unspecified injuries.

"The Indio Police Department's involvement was limited to responding to the traffic collision, ensuring roadway safety, and coordinating appropriate medical response. The Indio Police Department was not involved in any ICE enforcement or investigative actions and did not participate in the ICE operation," Plata said in a statement Friday.

In response, Indio City Councilman Oscar Ortiz posted a video on Facebook Friday about rising concerns from residents about immigration enforcement. Ortiz said he knew of at least two people who were detained and advised people to contact Todec immigration hotline for anyone in need of legal assistance at 951-388-2008, or at Todec.org.

"Our community has made us aware that ICE has been very active in our city over the last few days," Palm Springs Police Chief Andrew Mills said in a statement on social media Friday. "We've actually talked to ICE agents and let them know that we are not assisting them in any way, shape or form."