Category: Immigration crisis
Leftist radicals doxx ICE agents with ‘WANTED’ flyers in Pennsylvania
A Pennsylvania resident returned from grocery shopping to discover a “WANTED” flyer affixed to the resident’s vehicle.
The flyer, provided to Blaze News, features photographs of four Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and reads, “WANTED: ICE AGENTS TERRORIZING WORKING PEOPLE.”
‘ICE is focusing on the worst first through targeted enforcement. However, it is also a crime to live in this country illegally.’
It urged State College residents to share information about the federal officials, directing them to send details to a Proton Mail email address “if you see these ICE agents or have information about them.”
The flyer claimed that federal immigration officials “kidnapped 24 immigrant workers in State College [on] August 19.”
“THEY ARE ENEMIES OF WORKING PEOPLE AND ARE NOT WELCOME ANYWHERE IN OUR COMMUNITY,” it read. “SHARE WIDELY TO DEFEND IMMIGRANT WORKERS! DRIVE ICE OUT OF CENTRE COUNTY!”
It was unclear who created the flyer.
RELATED: Unruly anti-ICE protesters shut down NOLA city council meeting — police carry out activist
Image source: Anonymous tip
The Department of Homeland Security has reported a drastic uptick in assaults against ICE agents amid the rise of far-left activists attempting to doxx federal authorities.
The flyer’s mention of the August arrests appeared to refer to Enforcement and Removal Operations’ “targeted enforcement operation in Bellefonte,” according to a press release from ICE.
The agency noted that a suspected MS-13 gang member was among the 24 arrested as well as another individual with several criminal convictions, including for assault. Another seven individuals had final orders of removal, the agency reported.
RELATED: Los Angeles County Democrats vote to ban ICE from using masks — and the DOJ issues defiant response
Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images
“ICE is focusing on the worst first through targeted enforcement. However, it is also a crime to live in this country illegally,” ERO Philadelphia Field Office Director Brian McShane stated about the arrests. “Knowing this, ICE has been empowered to vigorously search out, arrest, and remove anyone violating federal immigration law.”
During a press conference following news of the arrests, several immigrant rights groups claimed that many of those arrested were traveling to work at a construction site when they were detained.
The DHS did not respond to requests for comment.
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ICE’s Christmas crackdown: Gang members, pedophiles, and an attempted murderer are now off the streets
The weekend leading into Christmas, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested more violent criminal illegal aliens, according to a press release exclusively obtained by Blaze News.
The Department of Homeland Security highlighted 15 illegal aliens with criminal histories who were recently captured across the country by federal immigration officials.
‘All year long, our law enforcement officers worked around-the-clock, including weekends and holidays, to arrest the worst of the worst.’
“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues to deliver on its promise this Christmas season to make America safe again and remove the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from our communities,” the press release read.
“While many Americans began wrapping presents and preparing for the joyous holy holiday, ICE was hard at work arresting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens convicted of horrific crimes including lewd and lascivious acts with [a] child, child neglect, obscene communication, and attempted murder,” it added.
First on the DHS worst of the worst list is Juan Jesus Acosta-Gutierrez, a Mexican national and Surenos-13 gang member. He was previously convicted for lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 by force or fear in San Bernardino, California.
Juan Jesus Acosta-Gutierrez. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Federal agents captured Udit Mehra, an Indian national who has a criminal history in Seminole, Florida, for cruelty toward children and obscene communication.
Udit Mehra. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
That Xiong, from Laos, was also picked up by ICE agents. He was previously convicted of attempted murder and discharging a firearm at an occupied vehicle in Sacramento, California.
That Xiong. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Juan Carlos Marrufo-Flores, an illegal alien from Mexico, was convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child in Atascosa County, Texas.
Juan Carlos Marrufo-Flores. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
ICE arrested criminal illegal alien David Cerna-Calderon of Mexico. He has a rap sheet in Bexar County, Texas, for assault causing bodily injury to a family member.
David Cerna-Calderon. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Yesenia Martinez-Gonzalez, a Mexican national, was detained by federal immigration officials. She was previously convicted in Texas for child neglect, resisting arrest, and driving while intoxicated.
Yesenia Martinez-Gonzalez. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Jose Dante Ortiz-Alvalardo of Mexico has a criminal history in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, for a second-degree forced sexual offense.
Jose Dante Ortiz-Alvalardo. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
ICE agents also nabbed Edwin Ismael-Hernandez, a Mexican national. He was previously convicted in Los Angeles, California, for several crimes. His rap sheet includes evading a peace officer/disregarding safety, hit-and-run, willful harm of a peace officer’s horse or dog, and vehicle theft.
Edwin Ismael-Hernandez. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
David Abraham Hernandez-Velez of Mexico was convicted of assault of a public servant in Brazoria County, Texas.
David Abraham Hernandez-Velez. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Federal immigration agents arrested Jerson Poveda-Delgado, a Colombian national with a criminal history in Indianapolis, Indiana, that includes battery against a public safety official.
Jerson Poveda-Delgado. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Daniel Emony, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was convicted in Alexandria, Virginia, of making false statements, aggravated identity theft, and perjury.
Daniel Emony. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
ICE also nabbed Carlos Martinez-Melendez, a Mexican national who was convicted of robbery in Austin, Texas.
Carlos Martinez-Melendez. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Federal agents arrested Justo Perez-Escobar, a Mexican national with a conviction in Gloucester Township, New Jersey, for unlawful possession of a handgun.
Justo Perez-Escobar. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Isaias Alvarado-Arellano of Mexico was previously convicted for conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in Oregon.
Isaias Alvarado-Arellano. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
The DHS press release also highlighted the arrest of Rudy Gonzalez, a Cuban national who was convicted of racketeering/conspiracy in Miami, Florida.
Rudy Gonzalez. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
“While many Americans began celebrating Christmas with their families and loved ones this weekend, ICE arrested gang members, child pedophiles, abusers, and an attempted murderer. All year long, our law enforcement officers worked around-the-clock, including weekends and holidays, to arrest the worst of the worst. We are thankful for our law enforcement who delivered the best Christmas gift for American families this holiday season: safer communities,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said.
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ICE locks up pedophiles, other violent illegal aliens as DHS launches ‘worst of the worst’ searchable site
Immigration and Customs Enforcement is locking up more pedophiles and violent criminals as the Department of Homeland Security launches a new “worst of the worst” searchable website.
A press release obtained exclusively by Blaze News highlighted the Monday arrests of five criminal illegal aliens.
‘This is all about transparency and showing results.’
“Americans may be busy with Christmas parties and shopping, but the mission to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens never stops — and neither does ICE law enforcement,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated.
“Every day, our law enforcement are removing the worst of the worst from across our nation,” McLaughlin continued. “Just yesterday, ICE arrested pedophiles, armed robbers, and drug traffickers. Thanks to our new website, Americans can see for themselves the criminal illegal aliens that we are arresting and removing from their communities.”
ICE nabbed Juan Aucenjio-Natalio, a Mexican national who was previously convicted in Fort Bend County, Texas, for indecency with a child by exposure.
Juan Aucenjio-Natalio. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Federal agents captured Phathana Phouthavong, an illegal alien from Laos who was convicted of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Phathana Phouthavong. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Immigration officials also arrested Ernesto Leonardo Mercado-Mejia, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador. He was previously found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon and carrying a concealed weapon in Santa Maria, California.
Ernesto Leonardo Mercado-Mejia. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Salvador Flores-Castellenos, a Mexican national, was convicted of robbery and assault with a firearm in Fresno, California.
Salvador Flores-Castellenos. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
ICE agents also captured Miguel Angel Rodriguez-Ramos, an illegal immigrant from Mexico who was convicted of selling cocaine in Randolph County, North Carolina.
RELATED: Exclusive: ICE arrests criminal illegal alien who allegedly operated shady unlicensed dental clinic
Miguel Angel Rodriguez-Ramos. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
The agency’s recent arrests coincide with the launch of wow.dhs.gov, a webpage that highlights the “worst of the worst” criminal illegal aliens nabbed by federal immigration officials since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January. The website provides their names as well as their country of origin, arrest location, and prior arrests and convictions. Users can search for arrests by both country of origin and state.
The DHS announced the new searchable website on Monday.
“This new worst of the worst webpage allows every American to see for themselves the criminal illegal aliens that we are arresting, what crimes they committed, and what communities we removed them from. This is all about transparency and showing results,” McLaughlin said.
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Exclusive: ICE arrests criminal illegal alien who allegedly operated shady unlicensed dental clinic
Immigration and Customs Enforcement highlighted the Wednesday arrests of several “worst of the worst” criminal illegal aliens, including a man who had been accused of operating an unlicensed dental practice, according to a Department of Homeland Security press release exclusively obtained by Blaze News.
‘ALL of them WILL be deported, never to return and harm another American AGAIN.’
On Wednesday, federal immigration officials nabbed Jose Alfredo Uzeta, an illegal immigrant from Mexico who was previously convicted of dentistry act violation and indecent assault in Harris County, Texas.
A 2023 report by KTRK-TV accused Uzeta of operating an unlicensed practice for two decades. Uzeta previously told a judge that he was seeing approximately eight patients a day. During an appointment for her braces, one patient claimed that Uzeta unhooked her bra, massaged her, and attempted to kiss her. Police uncovered the illegal practice when the patient reported Uzeta’s inappropriate conduct.
“For 20 years, Uzeta preyed on vulnerable Americans, charging for dental procedures he had absolutely no business of performing. Worse, he sexually violated one of his patients who trusted him,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated.
“In addition to this monster, ICE also arrested child predators, murderers, and violent assailants — ALL of them WILL be deported, never to return and harm another American AGAIN,” McLaughlin added.
RELATED: Unruly anti-ICE protesters shut down NOLA city council meeting — police carry out activist
Jose Alfredo Uzeta. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
ICE also arrested Mahmoud Telfah, a criminal illegal alien from Jordan. Earlier this year, Telfah was convicted of two counts, including child solicitation by electronic communication device and meets with a child, as well as attempted sexual exploitation of children by prostitution, according to the New Mexico Department of Justice.
A criminal complaint revealed that Telfah attempted to solicit sexual acts from an undercover Albuquerque Police Department detective whom he believed to be a 15-year-old female.
RELATED: DHS slams Newsom over illegal alien accused in death of 11-year-old boy on Thanksgiving
Mahmoud Telfah. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
The DHS press release highlighted ICE’s recent arrest of Hamidou Diallo, an illegal alien from Mali, who was convicted of murder in New York.
Hamidou Diallo. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Agents also captured Santos Guevara-Carrero, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, convicted of manslaughter in New York.
Santos Guevara-Carrero. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Marcos Leon-Sorto, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, was arrested by federal agents. Leon-Sorto was convicted of aggravated assault causing significant bodily injury and assault on a peace officer or judge in Texas.
Marcos Leon-Sorto. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
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New York Times is getting absolutely hammered online for sympathetic article about criminal illegal alien
As the debate over immigration continues, the New York Times tried to put a sympathetic light on an illegal alien who committed identity theft and instead radicalized many on the right.
The article contrasts the lives of Romeo Perez-Bravo from Guatemala and Dan Kluver, the man whose identification records were stolen to secure employment for Perez-Bravo in the Midwest.
‘The disgusting New York Times writes this story … as if they are BOTH victims.’
Kluver was forced to pay thousands of dollars to resolve the tax debts that had been racked up by Perez-Bravo under his credentials.
The Times portrays the identify theft as an unfortunate feature of the employment system and frames it as a “survival tactic” of illegal immigrants.
His case was one version of a problem that’s been spreading across the country for years. The government estimates that as many as one million undocumented workers are using fraudulent or stolen Social Security numbers — a survival tactic used to pass background checks and get jobs. The numbers are skimmed from data breaches, sold in black markets online for as little as $150, or handed out in border towns by human smugglers. Many numbers connect back to US citizen children, dead people, or Puerto Ricans whose numbers circulate easily across the mainland.
The article was immediately assailed by many online, and the Department of Homeland Security responded by setting the record straight about the extent of the criminal convictions against Perez-Bravo.
“The violent criminal illegal alien who stole Daniel Kulver’s identity is Guatemalan National Romeo Perez Bravo,” replied DHS Assistant Sec. Tricia McLaughlin.
She added that he had a rap sheet including convictions for terroristic threats and assault and four convictions for driving under the influence.
“He reentered the U.S. a third time after being removed, which is a felony,” she added. “Behind every stolen Social Security number is a real American: mothers, fathers, students, and workers facing devastating financial, personal and legal fallout.”
He was also involved in a traffic accident that resulted in the death of a 68-year-old grandfather, according to the Times.
The Times, meanwhile, is getting decimated.
“An illegal alien was using the stolen identity of an American citizen — and the disgusting New York Times writes this story … as if they are BOTH victims,” replied political consultant Steve Cortes.
“This is just a completely infuriating story,” responded Ohio state Rep. Josh Williams (R). “When you see Democrats fight back against mass deportations to the extent they have, think about men like Daniel Kluver, who have had their shot at the American Dream turned upside down because of the left’s desire to protect illegals over Americans.”
RELATED: NYT hit with backlash over op-ed calling for radical gov’t change so the left can compete
“One selfish man destroyed another man’s life, killed a grandpa, and sent a young girl to the hospital. It’s incredible to see how hard you strain to varnish over this ugly story,” read another response.
“The worst part of this article is how the @nytimes tries to paint a sympathetic story about the illegal alien. He was involved in a fatal crash and handed over the identity of the American whose name he’d stolen. The actual victim of the ID theft ended up getting sued for it,” replied the account for the Project for Immigration Reform.
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‘Climbing into the ceiling tiles’: DHS immigration raids hit Charlotte, where 1 in 6 residents are foreign-born
The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations have expanded to Charlotte, North Carolina.
Operation Charlotte’s Web launched on Saturday, as federal agents aimed to arrest criminal illegal aliens.
‘An illegal alien from Mexico gets deported 4 times, strolls back to Charlotte, then racks up a hit & run AND a DUI/DWI?’
Of the 900,000 residents in Charlotte, 150,000 are foreign-born, according to CBS News.
The Department of Homeland Security blamed “sanctuary politicians” for the state’s failure to honor 1,400 detainer requests, choosing instead to release offenders back onto the streets.
“Americans should be able to live without fear of violent criminal illegal aliens hurting them, their families, or their neighbors,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated. “We are surging DHS law enforcement to Charlotte to ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed. There have been too many victims of criminal illegal aliens. President Trump and Secretary Noem will step up to protect Americans when sanctuary politicians won’t.”
Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino stated that, on the first day alone, federal agents arrested over 80 individuals. He noted that most of those arrested have “significant criminal and immigration history.”
RELATED: Anti-ICE mob turns hostile, breaching barriers outside detention facility — several officers injured
Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images
A leftist activist confronted Bovino over the weekend while federal agents were arresting an alleged illegal alien, according to a video uploaded to social media.
“Are you doing nice things?” the activist asked Bovino.
“Absolutely, making the community safer for you,” Bovino responded.
The Border Patrol commander highlighted some of the recent Charlotte arrests on X.
“Let’s paint this picture for you. An illegal alien from Mexico gets deported 4 times, strolls back to Charlotte, then racks up a hit & run AND a DUI/DWI?” Bovino wrote. “It’s time to go back home.”
RELATED: VIDEO: Leotarded liberals protest ICE facility with ’80s-themed aerobics class
Gregory Bovino. Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images
“Who’s at the same grocery store as you?” he wrote in a separate post. “This illegal alien from Honduras with a criminal history. He has arrests for aggravated assault, assault with a dangerous weapon & DUI. He has also been removed from the U.S. twice, so now that he’s here AGAIN, he committed a felony by re-entering the U.S.”
Reports surfaced on Sunday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents shot an individual amid the ongoing operations; however, those claims were debunked by McLaughlin.
“This criminal illegal alien from Mexico had a panic attack and was taken to the hospital where he attempted to escape by climbing into the ceiling tiles from the hospital bathroom. He was unsuccessful and was apprehended inside the ceiling by law enforcement,” McLaughlin stated. “He has a prior arrest for assault.”
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Exclusive: ICE rounds up pedophiles, rapist, other illegal offenders — ‘some of the worst crimes imaginable’
Federal immigration officials rounded up several violent criminals on Thursday, despite the ongoing government shutdown.
‘Yesterday’s arrests include criminal illegal aliens convicted of some of the worst crimes imaginable, including sexual abuse of a minor.’
A Department of Homeland Security press release obtained exclusively by Blaze News highlighted five of Thursday’s “worst of the worst” arrests.
“Despite the Democrats’ longest government shutdown in American history, ICE refuses to slow down,” the press release read.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehensions included illegal aliens with a prior rap sheet, including two pedophiles, a rapist, and other violent assailants.
ICE arrested Jose Rivera-Medrano, a 41-year-old from El Salvador who was previously sentenced to 20 years in prison when he was convicted of sexual abuse of a minor in Rockville, Maryland. He pleaded guilty in October 2019, according to court records.
RELATED: Illegal alien pedophile allegedly ‘physically assaulted’ ICE agent during immigration operation: DHS
Jose Rivera-Medrano. Image source: The Department of Homeland Security
ICE Buffalo captured Milton Antunez-Bonilla, who is from Honduras. The 40-year-old was found guilty of sexual assault against a child 15 years old in Nassau County, New York. He was sentenced to five years in prison.
Milton Antunez-Bonilla. Image source: The Department of Homeland Security
Aaron Comisario-Galicia, a Mexican national, was convicted of rape in Los Angeles, California.
Aaron Comisario-Galicia. Image source: The Department of Homeland Security
Federal agents nabbed 33-year-old Juan Raul Chavez-Reyes, a national from Mexico who was convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Erath County, Texas.
Juan Raul Chavez-Reyes. Image source: The Department of Homeland Security
ICE Houston arrested Joseph Perez-De La Cruz, a Mexican national who was convicted for conspiring to transport illegal aliens, placing lives in jeopardy in Del Rio, Texas. He was sentenced to three years in prison.
RELATED: Illegal alien learns his fate after a Wisconsin judge allegedly helped him evade ICE
Joseph Perez-De La Cruz. Image source: The Department of Homeland Security
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that ICE agents are battling a severe uptick in threats.
“Even while facing an 8,000% increase in death threats against them, the brave men and women of ICE work tirelessly to get these worst-of-the-worst offenders off our streets and out of country,” McLaughlin said.
“Yesterday’s arrests include criminal illegal aliens convicted of some of the worst crimes imaginable, including sexual abuse of a minor,” she continued. “These heinous criminals have no business remaining in the country any longer, and we thank President Trump and [DHS] Secretary [Kristi] Noem for unleashing ICE to protect American communities.”
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Trump ramps up vetting of foreign workers to combat Biden’s lax policies
The Trump administration is taking measures to reduce the flood of inadequately vetted foreign labor entering the United States.
The Department of Homeland Security introduced an interim final rule, effective Thursday, that ends the automatic extension of employment authorization for many foreign nationals.
‘All aliens must remember that working in the United States is a privilege, not a right.’
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services stated that the move aims to prioritize “the proper screening and vetting of aliens before extending the validity of their employment authorizations.”
Foreign nationals who file for employment authorization renewals on or after Thursday will not receive an automatic extension.
USCIS contended that the change will allow for “more frequent vetting” and enable it “to deter fraud and detect aliens with potentially harmful intent” for potential removal.
The final rule notes that it aligns with President Donald Trump’s executive orders “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” and “Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.“
Photographer: Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images
“Ending the practice of providing automatic extension of employment authorization documents enhances benefit integrity in adjudications of work authorization requests and will better protect public safety and national security by ensuring that aliens are properly vetted and determined to continue to be eligible, and when applicable, merit a favorable exercise of discretion, for employment authorization before such authorization is provided to the alien,” the interim final rule reads.
The new regulation does not apply to those with Temporary Protected Status, as those authorizations are governed separately.
RELATED: Supreme Court rejects case that would reconsider H-1B-related visas
Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
“USCIS is placing a renewed emphasis on robust alien screening and vetting, eliminating policies the former administration implemented that prioritized aliens’ convenience ahead of Americans’ safety and security,” USCIS Director Joseph Edlow stated.
“It’s a commonsense measure to ensure appropriate vetting and screening has been completed before an alien’s employment authorization or documentation is extended,” Edlow continued. “All aliens must remember that working in the United States is a privilege, not a right.”
Center for Immigration Studies stated that the new regulation may allow the administration “to more quickly enforce immigration laws, particularly with regard to those who entered the United States illegally but were given work permits.”
The interim final rule repeals a Biden administration regulation, issued in December, that increased the automatic extension period for some applicants from 180 days to 540 days from the expiration date, CIS reported.
“The Biden administration facilitated an invasion of our southern border and abused its parole, asylum, and work authorization authorities. President Trump has a mandate from the American people to stop the invasion and bring common sense back to America’s legal immigration system. Since taking office, President Trump and Secretary Noem have rescinded parole for almost half a million illegal aliens, implemented a new parole fee, and ended decades-long Temporary Protected Status. Now, we are focusing on those who have no right to work here,” a USCIS spokesperson told Blaze News.
“Biden’s automatic extension of Employment Authorization Document (EAD) for aliens posed a security risk that allowed bad actors to continue to work in this country,” the spokesperson continued. “The Trump administration’s interim final rule will ensure that aliens will be properly vetted and screened before USCIS extends their work authorization.”
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Soros-linked protesters to host ‘rally/vigil’ at Home Depot over ICE raids
Progressive groups are organizing more than 100 anti-immigration enforcement protests at Home Depot and detention center locations nationwide this weekend.
‘All over the country, ICE agents are targeting immigrants in and around Home Depot, attacking and terrorizing workers, customers, and surrounding communities.’
The demonstrations are advertised as a “rally/vigil” to honor “all the workers who have been kidnapped by ICE on Home Depot properties.”
Organizers accused Home Depot of “becom[ing] ICE’s passive partner,” claiming that the company “has not resisted or condemned these raids.”
“Tell Home Depot: ICE Out!” the ads read.
The planned demonstrations appear to be in response to the death of Roberto Carlos Montoya Valdez, a 52-year-old from Guatemala. In August, Montoya Valdez was fatally struck by a vehicle when he ran onto a California highway while attempting to flee the scene of a Home Depot, where federal agents were performing immigration enforcement.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that Montoya Valdez was not being pursued by any federal law enforcement agents at the time.
RELATED: No, ICE isn’t terrorizing innocent families with social media surveillance
Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
“All over the country, ICE agents are targeting immigrants in and around Home Depot, attacking and terrorizing workers, customers, and surrounding communities. The raids are terrifying, chaotic, and sometimes deadly,” the ad for the protest read.
Organizers are hosting a Día de los Muertos protest outside a Pasadena Home Depot on Saturday, in honor of Montoya Valdez and two other individuals who died in separate incidents tied to Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, according to Pasadena Now. The local outlet noted that the event will feature an altar, music, and speakers.
RELATED: Far-left congressional candidate hit with reality check after allegedly impeding ICE operations
Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
The protests are a part of the Disappeared in America project, hosted by the Public Citizen Foundation, the National Day Laborers Organizing Network, the Workers Circle, and the Detention Watch Network.
The George Soros’ Open Society Foundations has made nearly two dozen grant donations, totaling over $6 million, to the Public Citizen Foundation since 2016. It has donated $700,000 directly to the Detention Watch Network and another $835,000 to the Tides Center “to support the Detention Watch Network.”
“We aren’t notified that immigration enforcement activities are going to happen, and we aren’t involved in the operations. We’re required to follow all federal and local rules and regulations in every market where we operate,” Home Depot told Blaze News.
Open Society Foundations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Beloved basketball coach, wife identified as victims of fatal crash allegedly caused by illegal alien truck driver
Authorities have identified two of the three victims in a fatal crash in California last week involving an illegal alien truck driver.
‘If California had complied with the Secretary’s emergency rule, … he would have never been able to get behind his big rig.’
Clarence Nelson, a 76-year-old Pomona high school basketball coach, and his wife, Lisa Nelson, 69, were killed after a semitruck plowed into several vehicles on the I-10 freeway in Ontario on Tuesday, Fox News Digital reported. Four others were injured.
“This week, our community was deeply saddened by the tragic incident in the City of Ontario,” state Senator Susan Rubio (D) said. “It’s heartbreaking to learn that two of the lives lost were from my district — Pomona High School basketball coach Clarence Nelson and his wife, Lisa.”
“As a teacher, I know how a loss like this ripples through an entire school community,” she stated. “My heart goes out to their families, the Pomona Unified School District, and everyone mourning this tremendous loss.”
The driver of the truck, Jashanpreet Singh, is a 21-year-old Indian national in the United States illegally. He was suspected of speeding while being under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash.
The California Highway Patrol arrested Singh, and he is facing charges of driving under the influence of drugs and causing bodily injury and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
Singh pleaded not guilty on Friday. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 4. Singh requires an interpreter for his upcoming hearing, ABC News reported, citing court filings.
RELATED: The shocking details behind another fatal illegal alien truck crash
Photographer: David Peinado/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed an arrest detainer against Singh. According to ICE, he crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in 2022 and was released into the country by the Biden administration.
The Department of Transportation accused California of violating federal law by issuing Singh a commercial driver’s license.
In September, DOT Secretary Sean Duffy announced the results of a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration audit that found “systemic non-compliance” among driver’s licensing agencies in several states, including California. Duffy ordered a pause of California’s issuance of non-domiciled CDLs, requiring the state to identify all unexpired licenses that fail to comply with regulations.
In mid-October, the DOT stated it was withholding roughly $40 million in federal funds from the state over its failure to comply with English language proficiency standards for commercial drivers.
“If California had complied with the Secretary’s emergency rule and prevented the upgrade of this individual’s driving privileges earlier this month, he would have never been able to get behind his big rig,” the DOT stated about the deadly crash involving Singh.
The department claimed that California initially issued Singh a non-domiciled CDL in June. However, it noted that because Singh was 20 years old at the time, his license included a “K restriction” that limited his driving to intrastate operations.
On October 15, when Singh turned 21, California removed the K restriction without applying the stricter standards DOT announced in its September final rule.
Photographer: David Peinado/Bloomberg via Getty Images
“If California had complied with the Secretary’s emergency rule and prevented the upgrade of Singh’s driving privileges, Singh would have been required to return to the DMV (on or after October 15) to have the ‘K’ restriction removed and upgrade his CDL,” the DOT stated. “At that time, Singh would have been subject to the emergency rule and found ineligible to retain the non-domiciled CDL due to Singh’s status as an asylum seeker.”
The California DMV told Blaze News that the federal government approved Singh’s employment authorization, which it claimed was valid through August 2030. The DMV stated that it verified Singh’s documents using the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system, also known as SAVE. It also acknowledged that on September 26, the DOT issued an interim final rule that changed eligibility requirements.
“MISINFORMATION ALERT: The state does not determine commercial driver’s license eligibility,” the California State Transportation Agency wrote in a post on social media. “The FEDERAL government approves and renews all FEDERAL employment authorization documents that allows individuals to work and obtain commercial driver’s licenses.”
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