28-01-2025
ICE raid rumors leave Triad Latino communities on edge
(WGHP) — Pres. Donald Trump's immigration crackdown has many people in the Triad's Latino community on edge.
Many are worried about whether U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE, or other law enforcement officials will come for them next as part of his executive order.
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Hector Rivera, an organizer for the nonprofit Siembra NC, didn't let a chilly Monday afternoon stop him from spreading awareness about ICE raids at a popular market. He started passing out pamphlets to keep Asheboro's Latino community informed.
'We've heard there's a lot of problems with rumors going around, that there's immigration over here and immigration over there, so we're also helping our community dispel those rumors by spreading verified information,' Rivera said.
Rivera and his group of volunteers are separating fact from fiction for Latino community members, especially after ICE arrested nearly 1,000 people nationwide in raids on Sunday. News of these arrests has caused panic in the Piedmont Triad.
'Right now people are trying to not live with fear. They know that they still have to go to work and that they still have to take their kids to school, and they're trying to continue doing that,' said Elena Jimenz.
Jimenz has lived in Asheboro for more than 20 years. She says she's fearful of potential ICE raids.
'We haven't heard them. I haven't heard them yet but I am hearing the rumors,' Jimenz said.
As a documented immigrant from Mexico, Jimenz says she's doing her due diligence by keeping her neighbors educated.
'It makes me sad and feel a little bit worried as well, but I'm still here to bring this information to the community about their rights,' Jimenz said.
Those rights include what to do in situations if an individual has encounters with immigration enforcement.
Rivera says, if anyone comes to your car or house, you're not obligated to open the door unless they have a judicial order.
And if you have questions call the Siembra community hotline.
'Continue to live without fear. That's the message that we're spreading to our people too. If we continue to live in fear, they're going to win because we want to continue to live life because we're not doing anything wrong as community members of Asheboro or North Carolina,' Jimenz said.
Siembra NC also has a hotline that can be reached by calling (336) 543-0353.
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