More than half (52%) of the 330 Mexican immigrants detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have lived in the U.S. for over a decade, and more than a third (36%) have been here for over 20 years and have U.S.-born children.
These findings come from interviews conducted by the Mexican General Consulate of Los Angeles with detained migrants between June 6 and July 6.
“Most of these people had put down roots in this country and had integrated into American society,” said Mexican Consul General Carlos González Gutiérrez in a Facebook post discussing the findings.
The surveys also revealed that the immigrants primarily worked in car washes, construction, factories, and gardening.
This profile contrasts sharply with federal government assertions that the people being arrested indiscriminately at Home Depots, farms, and on the streets are recent arrivals and criminals.
“These are productive people who worked in sectors typically associated with migrant labor,” González Gutiérrez said.
He added that the consulate has intensified its protection efforts by providing legal advice and conducting daily visits to detention centers, including on weekends.
He also noted that more than 1,000 cases have been referred to the consulate for direct support through its Mexican Consular Support Line, and he encouraged anyone affected by the raids to contact them.
ICE Raids Cost California Jobs
Meanwhile, a new report from UC Merced’s Community and Labor Center (clc.ucmerced.edu) shows that between May 11 and June 8, the number of Californians reporting private-sector work declined by 3.1%.
That equals to about 465,000 people—approximately 2.4% of the state’s labor force.
Researchers attribute the drop directly to the fear ICE raids have caused within the Latino population in California—a decline not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, it’s not just immigrants who are being affected—citizens are feeling the impact too.
The report indicates that the decline includes a loss of 271,541 jobs among citizens and 193,428 among non-citizens.
RESOURCES
Mexican Consular Support Line
📞 (520) 623-7874
🌐 www.gob.mx/apoyoconsular
