This weekend Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents – ICE- conducted sweeping raids to apprehend immigrants in the country illegally. Congressman Joaquin Castro, a San Antonio Democrat says he’s monitoring the raids called “Operation Crosscheck.
U.S. immigration officials confirmed the arrests of hundreds of unauthorized immigrants in at least six states. In Texas there are reports of a number of raids in San Antonio and Austin.Congressman Joaquin Castro said he’s asking ICE to provide information about Operation Crosscheck and who is being targeted.
“That’s the clarification that I requested is that is to figure out if they are targeting people who are truly violent dangerous criminals who are a threat to our community or whether they are going after people who are peaceful folks.”
In a Sunday morning tweet President Donald Trump said the raids are part of a national enforcement effort. Trump said, “The crackdown on illegal criminals is merely the keeping of my campaign promise. Gang members, drug dealers and others are being removed!”
Castro said he’s concerned non-criminals are being caught up in the dragnet.
“Because the president signed an executive order with respect to immigration that broadens the scope of people that ICE would target that it is quite possible that part of the operation cross check that the administration is targeting not just violent criminals but also others.”
Castro is searching for smart phone videos and other evidence that may indicate if the raids are scooping up more than criminals.
