Latest news with #SIREN
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump immigration policies roil Bay Area migrants worried about deportation
SAN JOSE, Calif. - There are renewed concerns in some migrant communities that a federal judge's ruling could make it easier to track those in the country illegally. This comes after the Trump administration introduced a new policy requiring migrants in the country illegally to register with the federal government. "When we talk about non-citizen registration, that has only occurred three times in our history," said Huy Tran, executive director of Services, Immigrant Rights & Education Network (SIREN). He said the first time was the Japanese American internment during World War II and the last was shortly after 9/11. The fourth time has arrived with a new policy by the Trump administration. All migrants in the country illegally must register with the government and carry identification at all times, or face fines and the possibility of permanent deportation. "We must know who is in our country for the safety and security of our homeland and for all American citizens," said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt during a briefing Friday. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden ruled Thursday that enforcement could proceed because the plaintiffs who had sued to stop implementation did not have the proper legal standing. "They didn't have a right to actually sue on behalf of the people who might be affected by the new rule that the administration has promulgated," said Brad Joondeph, a professor at Santa Clara University School of Law. Some immigrant rights advocates said the ruling had sent a chill in some communities, where some people who are undocumented worried complying with the law could mean being victimized by the law. "This is only going to end badly. And it's only going to disrupt the lives of millions of families who are here to do nothing more than to provide for their families and to take care of themselves," said Tran. The timeframe for compliance with the new policy is murky, with those affected perhaps having 30 days to register. "The Trump administration will continue to enforce our nation's immigration laws. We will not pick and choose which laws to enforce," said Leavitt. Some experts believe even with McFadden's ruling, there is still a legal road ahead that can lead to relief. "This is just one district court in the District of Columbia. Other affected people or groups could file suit in other district courts in the United States. This decision is also appealable," said Joondeph. He and others said this issue is likely headed to the Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and then maybe the Supreme Court. For now, advocates advised those impacted not to register with the government and instead contact an immigration attorney. Jesse Gary is a reporter based in the station's South Bay bureau. Follow him on the Instagram platform, @jessegontv and on Facebook, @JesseKTVU. The Source Interviews with Brad Joondeph of Santa Clara University School of Law and Huy Tran of Services, Immigrant Rights & Education Network (SIREN)
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Watchdogs race to document ICE activity after San Jose detainment
The Brief ICE agents were spotted in San Jose for two consecutive days, following President Trump's promise of ramped-up immigration enforcement. The community defense group Rapid Response Network began tracking ICE agents in San Jose after receiving a tip about their presence. At least one person was detained by the agents. SAN JOSE, Calif. - Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were spotted in San Jose for the second straight day. What we know On Monday, ICE officers were seen near Alum Rock and Jackson avenues, and on Sunday, they were near King and Story roads. At least one person was reportedly detained. The community defense group Rapid Response Network said they received a tip that agents were in San Jose. The group protects immigrant communities against deportation threats. Groups like the Rapid Response Network have been ramping up for months since the election. Advocacy groups feared there would be more ICE activity under the Trump administration and prepared for it. The Rapid Response Network's goal is to verify ICE activity and then notify the community. When the group was tipped off about agents in East San Jose on Sunday and again on Monday, they acted accordingly. The Rapid Response Network said their team tracked ICE trucks with their cameras rolling and shared information on social media. The crew tracked officers from a home on South White Road. Councilmember Peter Ortiz was there, warning his constituents. "I was in a car, and we just started following ICE throughout the area, documenting what we saw, documenting what were were told," Ortiz said. What they're saying The group reported seeing multiple vehicles deployed and at least one detention. "There was one lady, to my understanding, who was a Columbian national who was detained," Ortiz said. The fear for immigrant rights organizations like SIREN is that this is just the beginning of something bigger. What's next "What we've seen so far out of ICE are targeted operations. It means they have their list, and they're trying to focus in on that list. But the reality is that we've already heard from Tom Homan that whoever they're targeting, they're going to sweep. They're going to go around and hit those areas as well," said Huy Tran, executive director of SIREN. SIREN has been holding "Know Your Rights" sessions with hundreds in attendance. The group said people should plan, not panic. "What would you do in the case of an earthquake or wildfire? Have that same plan in place for your children. Who to call, where should they go, where should you be, and what's the best way to find each other," Tran said. Local agencies have been fielding countless calls. They said people are scared. As ICE ramps up activity, the Rapid Response Network has too. "San Jose community stands together to protect our community," said Socorro Montano, a dispatcher with the group. "It's important, of course, to always be safe and cautious, but don't uproot your lives. We're still in this," Tran said. Officials with ICE have not yet responded to KTVU's request for information on their activity in San Jose. However, on social media, the federal agency reported that agents made 956 arrests across the U.S. on Sunday. The Source Information for this story comes from interviews with advocacy groups such as the Rapid Response Network and SIREN, city officials, and previous reporting.
