State Senator Condemns Pasadena Immigration Enforcement Raids

State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez condemned federal immigration enforcement actions that took place Wednesday morning in Pasadena, where agents detained people at a bus stop.

“The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions this morning in Pasadena paint another troubling picture of unidentifiable federal agents terrorizing and snatching vulnerable people off the street,”  said the Democratic senator, who represents Pasadena.

“All indications show these raids targeted decent, hard-working community members at a bus stop who are simply trying to make a living and support their families,” Pérez said in the statement.

The senator said she has contacted federal agencies seeking information about the status of those detained and questioning the agents’ conduct.

“I want to know the status of the people detained this morning, and why the agents are conducting themselves like kidnappers,” Pérez said.

She plans to visit a detention center Wednesday alongside Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., to demand further answers.

Pérez argued that “The ongoing federal immigration raids create terror and do not make our communities safer.”

“Our immigrant community deserves due process and access to legal counsel,” she said. “And our democracy deserves far better conduct from our government.”

Pérez chairs the Senate Education Committee and serves on the Senate Budget Committee and Budget Subcommittee on Education. Her 25th Senate District includes Pasadena, Glendale, Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, Claremont, Glendora, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta-Montrose, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Temple City, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland and San Antonio Heights.

The statement did not specify how many people were detained or provide details about the federal operation.