ICE and DEA agents spotted at two different businesses in Eureka
Correction: Graphic updated, no van was verified as part of the story. Updated 3/13 at 10:49 p.m.
On Tuesday, March 11, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents reportedly went to two local businesses in Eureka.
On March 12, Centro del Pueblo (CdP) members went to the businesses to confirm if in fact any federal agents had come to their business, shared Brenda Pèrez, executive director of CdP.
First ICE sighting March 11
After learning about this encounter someone called the CdP ICE Watch Hotline and Pèrez dispatched CdP members to check out the surrounding businesses and talk to people to confirm the ICE agent sighting.
“So we decided to confirm with the offices of the City of Eureka, Deputy Sheriffs office, office of Homeland Security to see if we could find any clues or person that could inform us but no one knew anything,” Pèrez said.
Second sighting
That same night at around 10 p.m., the hotline received another call from someone who was able to confirm the presence of federal agents at another business in Eureka.
To protect the businesses and people, Pèrez will not be revealing any names.
Other federal agents, allegedly from the DEA, were also present on the 11th at a different business and asked for the identification of all the employees.
Centro del Pueblo also confirmed that the ICE agent is no longer present in Humboldt since the eleventh.
CdP attempted to get ahold of the Humboldt Sheriff’s office before releasing their statement on social media, but has not heard back yet. El Leñador called and left a message with Miles Umina, the acting sheriff-coroner, but no comment has been provided as of the date of publication.
Pèrez still wants to know if federal agents are running some type of operation in the county of Humboldt and if it has anything to do with ICE.
It is unknown if these sightings are connected to a larger operation in Humboldt county, or if the two sightings are related.
No one was detained, “fortunately everyone knew their rights,” Pèrez said.
Know Your Rights trainings
A “know your rights” training is coming up on March 22 at the D Street Neighborhood Center in Arcata from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. It will be hosted by CdP, the City of Arcata and Equity Arcata. There will also be a forum with some administrators from local agencies.
“We will see the vision of the police departments to see or to learn how they are trained, what is their understanding of sanctuary law,” Pèrez said.
For other ICE or federal agent sightings, contact the CdP ICE Watch Hotline at 707-200-8091.
To register for Legal observer training on April 2nd: humcolos@riseup.net
