Residents have reported that immigration raids have begun in Kern and Tulare counties in California. Photo: P360 file
US President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office on January 20, but his threats to carry out mass raids against immigrants in the country have already begun, according to residents of Kern and Tulare counties in California.
To Mari P ez-Ru, executive director of the Alliance for the Empowerment of the Central Valley (Central Valley Empowerment Alliance), the situation took her by surprise, as well as the families that the non-profit organization serves.
"It took us all by surprise, to be honest. We thought that maybe, starting January 20th, that would happen, but we're still in this administration and it's happening," she said in a meeting with Peninsula 360 Press and Ethnic Media Services.
The activist said that, in light of these events, they have taken action and met to work with community members and obtain precise data on the people who have been arrested.
He also highlighted that the organization has compiled a list of lawyers who are willing to provide their services to immigrants who need them, as this is just the beginning.
"I just think that, you know, we're going to get through this, and it's going to be -- hopefully it's not something that becomes normalized, that we think every day is like this but we're preparing for it, that it's going to be ongoing. It's a surprise that it's happening now, the expectation was that it was going to start after (Donald Trump's) inauguration," P ez-Ru emphasized.
While raids were not expected for a couple of weeks, the organization has learned that there are sheriffs, police chiefs and law enforcement officers