Donald Trump and maga Republicans must end the ICE horrific and terrifying raids on innocent immigrants

Immigration sweep sparks 'outrage'

Echo opinion letter published in the California Santa Maria Times:

Viewing videos on social media, I experienced a shock to my conscience and apoplectic outrage at finding out that “… upwards of 60 HSI special forces and ICE agents… over 40 unmarked vehicles, bobcats, and vans (were) used in the actual raid” at East Valley Farms, off the Telephone Road.

I find it despicable that many of the agents wore masks, did not identify themselves, never produced warrants, and suddenly used flash-bangs against unarmed peaceful protesters.

I was horrified by how the witnesses stated “5 people were taken from (a) home, including an infant and a pregnant mother”. Also “around 10-15 people were taken from a nearby farm”. Some peaceful protestors were “physically handled” getting “pushed around four or five times”. Because “as of Friday afternoon, no federal agency had issued a public statement about which agencies executed the operation, whether federal warrants were served, how many individuals were detained, or whether children were taken into custody,” I fear that Constitutional due process (habeas corpus) of the abductees was not and will not be provided, and their constitutional human rights have been violated. I can only wonder where these innocent people (until proven guilty) are being detained and whether their families have been contacted. I travel on Telephone Road regularly and on the farms in the area I always see hardworking field laborers, often in blistering heat, sun and piercing winds working from morning until dusk doing a job few want or are capable of performing. I seriously doubt there are any violent, dangerous criminals among them. What threat do these field laborers pose to our community? How does abducting these hardworking field laborers make our community safer❓ 

My heart goes out to the abductees and their families realizing their grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, uncle, aunt, brother, sister, cousin, or friend won’t be coming home because they decided to go to work on Thursday to provide for their families. I applaud all the Rapid Response Network volunteers that “work directly with families afterward, giving families money, food and delivering groceries when they are afraid to go shopping”. I “tip my cap” to all the protestors that showedo defend the most vulnerable, necessary, important, tireless, hard working, deeply religious, family centered people in our community. Your selfless courage is inspiring.

In November 2026, I believe the midterm elections will mirror the recent special elections earlier this month. I predict all Democrats will defeat all Republicans and the House and Senate will turn blue. Only then can there be a reckoning against the corrupt and incompetent White House, cabinet, House of Representative, and Senate.

Californians, in passing Prop. 50, showed other states the power of the people and the power of voting. We need to show up and lead the way again in 2026, and 2028.

Nelson Sagisi in Santa Maria, California