NM group condemns federal raid on Lovington dairy farm
Homeland Security Investigations announced it had arrested 11 people at a Lovington, N.M., dairy farm on June 4. The agency released this image of the arrests. (Photo courtesy HSI)
The federal immigration raid at a dairy farm in Eastern New Mexico last week tore families apart, damaged trust and 'undermined our shared values of compassion and justice,' according to Somos Un Pueblo Unido, a statewide immigrant advocacy organization.
According to a social media post from Homeland Security Investigations in El Paso, the agency executed a search warrant at the Outlook Dairy Farms in Lovington on June 4, arresting 11 people accused of misuse of visas, permits or other documents.
The owner of the dairy farm told the Albuquerque Journal that the people arrested provided him false paperwork and that, following an audit before the raid, he'd been required to fire 24 other workers at the farm.
ICE offers Albuquerque immigrant reprieve — for now
In a statement Monday morning, María Romano, coordinator of the Lea County office of Somos Un Pueblo Unido, said that the raid undermines New Mexico's economy, which relies heavily on immigrant workers who are 'powering industries from dairy farms to oil and gas.'
'The individuals targeted in this raid are our neighbors, coworkers and friends, many of whom have lived here peacefully for years, contributing to our economy and enriching our culture,' Romano said. 'These enforcement actions do not make us safer.'
The organization called on local and state leaders to demand transparency from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and to protect New Mexicans' rights regardless of immigration status.
'This recent raid reminds us that our communities must be aware of their rights. We must continue to empower ourselves to defend our dignity and demand justice for all New Mexicans.'
The group shared a website it created explaining people's rights, regardless of immigration status, with information for victims of wage theft, along with dealing with ICE, Border Patrol and police at border checkpoints and elsewhere.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Rally outside CBP office in Detroit condemns Trump's mass deportations
A small but vocal group of demonstrators rallied Wednesday, June 11, outside the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office on Michigan Avenue in Detroit to oppose ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and deportations, as large-scale protests unfold in Los Angeles. Organized by BAMN — the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration and Immigrant Rights and Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary — the rally aimed to spotlight what activists describe as a coordinated assault on immigrant communities. "We're here to stand in solidarity with our fellow organizers and everybody in LA who's standing up. That's what we need to do in every city across the country to stop (President Donald) Trump's ethnic cleansing plan," said Nicole Conaway of Detroit, a BAMN organizer for the past 15 years. Earlier in the day, protesters also demonstrated in front of the Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building in downtown Detroit, down the block from where the evening protest was held. According to activists, five or six individuals — most of them believed to be Venezuelan — were detained after their immigration cases were dismissed in court, a practice that immigrant advocates say is becoming increasingly common. "That's happening more and more. Regardless of the outcome, people have been snatched up straight out of court — and we've known people that this has happened to," said Kate Stenvig, another BAMN organizer and Detroit resident. A spokesman for ICE did not comment specifically on the alleged arrests in Detroit, but said that ICE officers are permitted 'to conduct civil immigration enforcement actions in or near courthouses when they have credible information that leads them to believe the targeted alien(s) is or will be present at a specific location, and where such action is not precluded by laws imposed by the jurisdiction in which the enforcement action will take place.' The local protests come amid escalating tensions in Los Angeles, where Trump has deployed hundreds of National Guard troops to respond to public demonstrations against his administration's immigration crackdowns. State and city leaders have said the move has only heightened unrest. 'Trump is not just deporting criminals. He is just deporting anyone who's Black and Brown, pretty much,' Conaway said. 'It's a racist, white supremacist, fascist regime, and the way to stop it is mass collective organizing and mass action like we're seeing in LA right now.' More: ICE denies Detroit high school student's request to stay in U.S. until graduation Though Wednesday's rally in Detroit drew approximately 20 participants, it also drew support from passersby. Drivers honked their horns, and a group riding on The Michigan Pedaler cheered in solidarity. Protesters held signs reading, 'Defend your neighbors against ICE' and 'Immigrants make America Great,' while chanting, 'LA has shown the way, immigrants are here to stay.' In addition to street activism, BAMN also operates a legal wing that represents families facing deportation. Conaway said she's seen firsthand how families have been torn apart at the office they were protesting outside of. More: More foreign students in Michigan targeted for deportation, including 22 at U-M 'One of our legal clients went in for a check-in right here, to this building (on Michigan Avenue), and never came out. They were detained there,' she said. Conaway added that she believes what's at stake goes beyond immigration policy. 'If Trump can win this battle, then we're further down the road to fascism and him being a dictator and not leaving the White House without force,' she said. More: Detroit criminal deportation cases skyrocket in Trump's first 100 days A spokesman for ICE did not comment specifically on the alleged arrests in Detroit, but said that ICE officers are permitted 'to conduct civil immigration enforcement actions in or near courthouses when they have credible information that leads them to believe the targeted alien(s) is or will be present at a specific location, and where such action is not precluded by laws imposed by the jurisdiction in which the enforcement action will take place.' Several protests against ICE and Trump's immigration policies are planned throughout the country for Saturday, June 14 — the president's birthday. Organizers said BAMN, along with other activist groups, will lead a march beginning at 1 p.m. at Clark Park in Detroit. Free Press reporter Niraj Warikoo contributed to this report. Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: nrahal@ Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit activists protest ICE, show solidarity with LA demonstrations
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Activist arrested at Monday night protest says she's ready for Saturday event
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Alexandra Haddix left jail Tuesday after Austin Police arrested her during an anti-ICE protest Monday night. 'I was tear-gassed while being pulled out of a car,' Haddix said. Despite her time in custody, she's fired up to continue protesting. She's ready for another protest on Saturday that she helped organize. It's part of a national day of protests called, 'No Kings Day,' with large crowds expected to turn out in protest of the Trump administration. 'No Kings' protest organizer calls Texas National Guard deployment an overreaction by Governor 'I just think that it's going to be so funny seeing the dichotomy between our jubilee protests and the National Guard holding their massive guns,' Haddix said. Haddix is a part of the group called the 50501 Movement. She said members of the group go through protest training and have planned seminars to educate people on protest safety. According to Haddix, there will be a seminar before Saturday's protest. 'We are going to have another seminar for crowd control for the organizers and people in charge,' Haddix said. 'We also will have a de-escalation seminar.' Haddix criticized the way police handled the Monday protest, which was organized by another group. However, she said her organization will encourage peaceful protest. 'Do I understand why we have police? Yes. Do I feel like they maybe are overstepping? Absolutely,' Haddix said. 'The safety of the people at our protest is our number one concern, and if that requires me to work a little bit with the police, then that is what I'm going to do.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Indianapolis Star
19 minutes ago
- Indianapolis Star
See the sights and sounds around Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Pacers Game 3
Fans and people protesting ICE raids brought thousands to Downtown Indianapolis on Wednesday night. Here's what it looked and sounded like. Madyson Crane Security for NBA finals are top priority for city and Pacers officials Woman who accused Hogsett aide of sexual harassment removed from meeting 'What's going to happen to my family?' asks Afghanistan refugee Indy FOP president Rick Snyder goes off on Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears
