SAN ANTONIO — A series of raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement are planned to take place across the country starting on Sunday.
- Ten cities are being targeted
- Houston is the only Texas city on the list
Of the ten cities targeted by ICE in this event, Houston is the only Texas city on the list.
The CEO of RAICES Texas, a nonprofit that offers legal assistance to immigrants, said even if a major raid is not scheduled in San Antonio, there are still regular ICE arrests and deportations in the city.
It is believed that ICE has specific people it is looking to arrest this weekend, and that they are looking for families who have already been giving deportation orders but remain in the country.
Jonathan Ryan, RAICES Texas CEO, said the information they're giving undocumented migrants ahead of the upcoming raids, is the same advice they've been giving for the last two years. He specifically pointed out that people do not have to answer their doors if an ICE agent is at their home.
While it is illegal to hire an undocumented person for work, Ryan said it is not illegal for communities to help protect their neighbors from ICE.
"On the contrary, you're the very people who should be protecting your friends, your family members and the people in your community, against what could be illegal and aggressive tactics on the part of ICE,” said Jonathon Ryan, RAICES Texas CEO.
Ryan says RAICES is working to provide free legal services for people detained across the state.