The escalating anxiety surrounding immigration raids in southern Florida has sparked both fear and a wave of solidarity among Latino communities.
On Thursday, residents and activists from Lake Worth Beach, a city known for its significant Caribbean and Central American immigrant population, took to the streets to denounce what they describe as "abductions" and arbitrary detentions by ICE and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
The protest was spearheaded by the Guatemalan-Maya Center, which accused authorities of arresting workers in broad daylight as part of operations that have been ongoing since the beginning of the week in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach.
Signs with messages like "ICE abducted a community member here" were displayed in front of the City Hall and along several streets. "We want people to know that this is happening here, that our neighbors and coworkers are being taken," Mariana Blanco, the center's operations director, told CBS.
The organization claims these raids are impacting laborers, gardeners, roofers, and cleaning staff, many of whom are parents who have been working legally or are in the process of resolving their immigration status.
"Every morning, we receive messages saying: 'Someone is being taken from here,'" shared Mayra Domingo Cárdenas, who manages the emergency hotline.
A local activist told The Palm Beach Post about a mother with 25 years in Florida being detained, leaving behind four young children. "It's inhumane and unjust," she stated. Another witness reported that several workers fled when agents surrounded a construction site.
Statistics underscore the concern: deportations in Florida have surged by over 60% in the past year, with more than 5,000 expulsions, marking one of the highest rates in the nation.
Immigration attorney Mayra Joli pointed out that such detentions are legal if there's an immigration order, though she acknowledged their traumatic impact: "These are individuals who have spent years here, raising American children."
Understanding the Impact of ICE Raids in Florida
What communities are being affected by the ICE raids in southern Florida?
The ICE raids are impacting Latino communities, particularly in areas with significant Caribbean and Central American immigrant populations, such as Lake Worth Beach.
How have the ICE raids affected the local workforce?
The raids have targeted laborers, gardeners, roofers, and cleaning staff, many of whom are parents and have been working legally or are awaiting immigration status resolutions.
What is the legal basis for the ICE detentions in Florida?
ICE detentions are considered legal when there is an existing immigration order, although they can have a significant emotional and psychological impact on those affected.