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ICE Operations in Santa Barbara Spark Fear Amid Nationwide Immigration Crackdown

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SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — A nationwide immigration enforcement blitz launched by the Trump administration over the weekend has sparked fear and uncertainty in Santa Barbara, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were spotted conducting operations.

The nationwide crackdown, which involved multiple federal agencies, resulted in 1,179 arrests and 853 detainers being lodged, ICE reported in a post on X (formerly Twitter) Monday evening, marking the highest total since the agency began reporting arrests on the platform.

In Santa Barbara, ICE agents were seen in several locations, including the Westside and outside Mi Fiesta Market on the Eastside. Images shared by 805 UndocuFund on social media show agents wearing vests marked with “Police” and the ICE badge. One photo shows a man in handcuffs. The organization also reported that a second individual was confronted by ICE agents, but their detention was prevented with assistance from the Immigrant Legal Defense Center.

The heightened enforcement in Santa Barbara is part of a broader operation targeting cities across the United States, including Chicago, the Atlanta area, Puerto Rico, Colorado, Austin, Texas, and several locations in California such as San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

Local immigration attorney Vanessa Frank says the increased ICE presence has created significant distress in the community.

“There’s a family I have become aware of and have been working with. It’s a person who is detained and has been separated from their child, and they don’t have a criminal record at all,” Frank said.

Frank also expressed concerns about the psychological impact on children in mixed-status families.

“They’re very concerned that if they are stopped by ICE, their children will be left without any sort of care. Obviously, ICE does not have any power over U.S. citizens. U.S. citizen children of people without status will not be detained. But if somebody without status is stopped, ICE is not going to go and collect their children or make provisions for those children,” Frank explained.

The Trump administration has emphasized its focus on prioritizing public safety and national security threats, but it also plans to expand operations in the coming months.

“Right now [we are] countering public safety threats, national security threats. That’s a smaller population. So we’re going to do this on a priority basis, as President Trump promised. But as the aperture opens, there will be more arrests nationwide,” said Border Czar Tom Homan.

In response to concerns, ICE stated its operations are intelligence-driven and do not involve random raids or checkpoints.

“ERO law enforcement activity takes place around the clock; however, ICE does not conduct raids or sweeps, nor does the agency operate roadblocks or checkpoints. ICE’s enforcement resources are based on intelligence-driven leads, and ICE officers do not target noncitizens indiscriminately,” ICE said in a statement.

Despite ICE’s reassurances, Frank noted that agents have broad authority to question individuals about their immigration status without requiring probable cause. She urged community members to understand their rights and seek legal counsel if confronted by ICE.

The fear and uncertainty surrounding these enforcement actions have left many families struggling to cope with the potential for separation and long-term psychological effects. Local organizations and legal aid groups, including 805 UndocuFund and the Immigrant Legal Defense Center, continue to provide resources and support to those affected.

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