PRESS RELEASE
Randy Villegas Responds To ICE Activity In The Central Valley
Bakersfield, CA – Following recent increased ICE activity in the Central Valley including in Fresno and Madera, Congressional Candidate in California’s 22nd district, Randy Villegas, released the following statement:
“As the son of Mexican immigrants, I know firsthand how terrifying reports of masked federal agents in unmarked cars can be for our families here in the Valley. All law-abiding immigrants who work hard and contribute to our communities across the Central Valley have a right to go to work or drive their kids to school and return home safely.
“When David Valadao was confronted with what our communities are facing his response: ‘It is what it is.’ It’s shameful that David Valadao voted to triple ICE’s budget without any meaningful oversight, reform, or accountability. Despite the fact that ICE has arrested Dreamers, veterans, and even killed U.S. citizens. In Congress I’ll always fight to protect our communities by passing a fair and humane path to citizenship for our Dreamers, farmworkers, and those who’ve called the Valley home for decades.”
Additional Background:
David Valadao voted to triple ICE’s budget.
When asked about immigration enforcement operations, Valadao cruelly responded “it is what it is.”
In Kern County, Border Patrol agents made arrests – the majority without criminal records – without identifying themselves early in Trump’s second term.
Reporting showed Central Valley farmworkers were afraid to go to work or seek medical care over deportation fears.