The Signal staff reached out to people posting on social media about local ICE sightings, prompting us to provide our readers with information and an update.
On Jan. 7, Renee Good was shot and killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis while protesting ICE action. That shooting, followed by a man being shot in the leg by ICE agents on Jan. 14, gave rise to larger protests in Minneapolis this week. Protesters are being met by flash bangs and tear gas, as well as Homeland Security and ICE agents in riot gear.
There has been a swell of protests across the country, including in Portland. Social media platforms are full of posts about the protests as well as the government’s responses to it. Here in the Central Valley, people are sharing sightings of ICE in the local area.
The Signal obtained a copy of an Instagram post from a private account warning followers that ICE agents were sighted using vehicles in the Modesto area with “Park Ranger” logos on the trucks. The Modesto area Instagram poster could not be reached for comment and is not being named here to protect their safety and anonymity.
Copy of Instagram post warning followers
When asked about the claim that Park Rangers were working with ICE, Sharon Bear, the public safety information officer at Modesto Police Department, assured the Signal that park rangers are not working with ICE.
“The Park Ranger Program is a City of Modesto public safety initiative focused on park patrol, community engagement, quality-of-life issues, and safety within our parks and open spaces,” Bear said in an email. “Modesto Police Department personnel including the Park Ranger program are not designed for, and do not engage in, federal immigration enforcement.”
Bear pointed the Signal to California law SB 54 (the California Values Act), which she said in the email “strictly limits state and local law enforcement agencies from using their resources, personnel, or equipment to assist in federal immigration enforcement except in very narrow, legally defined circumstances.”
MPD, Bear said, complies with SB 54 as do the Park Rangers.
As tensions escalate, President Trump has planned to invoke the Insurrection Act. This act allows the president to send military forces, including active duty troops and the National Guard into cities to suppress civil disorder and enforce federal law.
The Signal reached out to campus leadership for their take.
“We know that national events and public conversations can create worry and uncertainty for students,” said Director of Communications & Creative Services Kristina Stamper in an email to the Signal. “We are deeply committed to fostering a campus culture where all students feel safe, supported, and empowered to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.”
“One key resource we provide is access to free legal support,” Stamper said. “Through direct immigration legal services provided by ILD (Immigrant Legal Defense), students and employees can schedule appointments at no cost.”
Campus leadership also recognized that the state of the country is about more than legal concerns. Emotional health and wellbeing matters, too.
“We recognize that fear and anxiety can have a significant emotional toll,” Stamper said. “We collaborate closely with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) to ensure students have access to mental health support.”
Stamper also wants students to look out for the “Know Your Rights” red cards that are available throughout campus and on our website.
“Above all, we want students to know you belong here, and you do not have to navigate these moments alone,” Stamper said. “Our doors are open and our team is here to support you every step of the way.”
Students are encouraged to connect with our Undocumented Student Services team by emailing [email protected] or by visiting L-203, Warrior Cross Cultural Center, to learn about the resources available.
Contributors to this article: Jason Andre Fuentes, Kaihli Miner-Hill and Sarah Jones.
