Early Morning Raids in Santa Barbara Result in Detentions

On Father’s Day, federal immigration agents detained as many as 11 individuals during a series of early morning raids in Santa Barbara, California, according to local activists.

The operations occurred just before 7 a.m. in the West Side and East Side neighborhoods, where several vehicles believed to belong to ICE were seen. Activists from SB Resiste, an organization monitoring immigration enforcement, reported the detentions.

Among those detained were three mariachi musicians found near San Pascual Avenue and Mulberry Avenue. Katia Trujillo noted that these musicians were part of a Father’s Day tradition called the “Serenata to the Father.”

There are conflicting accounts regarding whether the musicians were actively participating in the tradition when detained or merely traveling for that purpose. A fourth musician is said to have avoided arrest.

Activists also mentioned that at least one American citizen was among those detained, though they were released later in Oxnard.

Santa Barbara Police Chief Kelly Gordon stated that local law enforcement had not been informed in advance of the ICE operation and had received no reports regarding it. “We weren’t notified about ICE coming,” Gordon remarked. “No calls for service at 1 a.m. suggest that the activities reported were unexpected.”

As of Monday morning, federal authorities had not disclosed specific details about the operation, including the names of the detainees and the immigration-related charges they might face.

Earlier this month, ICE agents had boarded a Disney cruise ship in San Diego, arresting multiple crew members while passengers looked on.