Watchdogs race to document ICE activity after San Jose detainment

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were spotted in San Jose for the second straight day.

ICE sightings

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.

1 detained

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.

‘Targeted operations’

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.

Related

What to do if ICE shows up in California: Immigration resource guide

Immigrant rights advocates say don't speak to ICE agents and ask for an attorney. They also say that ICE needs a warrant signed by a judge to enter your home.

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.

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