McNerney: ICE Operations in Contra Costa are Targeted Enforcement Operations

This week, rumors began circulating around Contra Costa County after a social media post claimed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were setting up checkpoints in local retail stores to roundup illegal immigrants.

The rumor apparently began in Richmond and worked its way around the San Francisco Bay Area—it even led to the Contra Costa College issuing the following statement:

Campus Police verify NO immigration agents (ICE) have been on campus 2day. CCC is committed to protecting students: http://buff.ly/2lkLQf4 .

According to Congressman Jerry McNerney’s Office, who when asked about the rumors, they replied that their office was informed that the events taking place in Contra Costa are “targeted enforcement operations”. They further highlighted that ICE is only targeting a list of specific individuals and are not engaging in check points or checking the identification of random individuals.

McNerney’s office also provided a list of recent statements that relating to Contra Costa operations:

• https://www.dhs.gov/news/2017/02/13/statement-secretary-kelly-recent-ice-enforcement-actions
• https://www.dhs.gov/news/2017/02/14/ice-led-probe-leads-indictment-10-alleged-northern-california-gang-members-drug
• https://www.dhs.gov/news/2017/02/15/dhs-statement-arrest-admitted-alien-gang-member-washington

Congressman Jerry McNerney says the immigration system in the country is broken, but supports the efforts to remove criminals in this country who are here illegally.

“It’s clear that our nation’s immigration system is broken and that we need a comprehensive overhaul that provides a path to citizenship. While I support efforts to remove criminals in this country who are here illegally, we should not be ripping families apart nor unfairly targeting individuals who are positively contributing to our communities. We must continue to work to create comprehensive immigration policies that are fair and that keep our country safe.” – Congressman Jerry McNerney.

ICE further explained this week their enforcement operations target individuals on a case-by-case basis as opposed to checkpoints. They are lead driven and that they prioritize individuals who pose a risk to community safety.