In the trendy neighborhoods of San Diego, dramatic scenes have unfolded as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids have become increasingly common, alarming local residents and inciting protests.
Amidst nursing a cold, Adam Greenfield joined local residents in witnessing a raid on an Italian restaurant, where masked agents arrested workers during peak dinner hours.
“It was literally outside of my front door,” Greenfield said, describing the chaotic atmosphere as nearly 75 neighbors rallied to oppose the agents’ presence.
Greenfield emphasized the public’s mixed responses to these aggressive tactics.
“To do this at 5 o’clock, right at the dinner rush, they were trying to make a statement,” he said. “But I don’t know if their intended point is getting across the way they want it to. I think it is sparking more backlash.”
The recent wave of arrests is a shift from prior practices, when ICE typically conducted their operations late at night or in early morning hours, catching individuals off guard.
During a similar raid in 2008, agents operated without causing public upheaval, unlike the heightened tensions seen during the recent actions.
White House border czar Tom Homan explained that sanctuary policies in some cities have forced agents to change tactics, leading to public confrontations that were not as prevalent before.
“The local government in this community tells them that they’re not allowed to do their job,
image source from：nbcsandiego
