Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo strongly condemned recent immigration raids conducted by U.S. authorities in Southern California, calling them “unjust” and warning of their negative impact on the U.S. economy.
During her morning press conference on Friday, the President expressed concern over the operations carried out in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, where agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), supported by members of the National Guard, detained migrant farm workers.
“These raids are very unjust, but they will also significantly harm the economy of the United States,” she said. “Mexicans —and not only Mexicans, but other Latin Americans— strengthen that country’s economy. Without that labor force, the fields of California and other states will not produce,” Sheinbaum warned.
The President reported that 25 calls were received just yesterday from family members of potentially detained individuals.
She also noted that 355 Mexican nationals have been detained in connection with these immigration raids since January 20.
Since that date, 73,533 migrants have been repatriated to Mexico —67,008 of them Mexican and 6,525 foreign nationals.
Since the start of the Sheinbaum administration, the total number of repatriations has reached 138,000, of which 126,000 are Mexican citizens.
In response to this situation, Sheinbaum announced an increase in funding for Mexican consulates in the United States, with a strong focus on legal and judicial support for Mexican nationals:
“We are going to extend service hours and simplify procedures, such as the household goods exemption process. There will be no lack of resources to support our brothers and sisters. Migrants are not criminals. They went to the United States seeking a better life for their families. They are heroes and heroines who sustain the economy,” she stated.
Consular Actions and Emergency Numbers
Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) activated its support protocol in response to the operations, providing consular assistance to affected Mexican nationals. The Mexican Consulate in Oxnard has already implemented protective measures.
The following contact information was made available for assistance:
• Consular Protection Hotline: 1 (520) 623 7874 (available 24/7)
• Emergency cell number for the Oxnard Consulate: 1 (805) 627 3520
Raids Involving Use of Force
The operations in Camarillo, Ventura County, sparked outrage after social media videos showed a military helicopter landing in agricultural fields. Witnesses reported the use of tear gas to disperse family members and residents who attempted to block the transfer of detainees —despite the presence of children at the scene.
Related: Sheinbaum rejects immigration measures endorsed in Trump’s tax plan
Mexican Press Agency is part of ALMA, which is dedicated to news and information about Mexico and Mexicans in the United States and is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Focus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Redwood City, California.
