Border Patrol raids in the Inland Empire since December

December 23, 24, 25, 2008: San Bernardino Day Laborer Corner at Lincoln Drive and 21st Street (near Home Depot)
At least 6 people detained by U.S. Border Patrol’s Riverside office A member of the Centro Cristiano Agape Church in Rialto, said she was holding a prayer service among the day laborers on Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) when Border Patrol agents arrived. She says that one agent sarcastically thanked her for making his job easier by gathering the workers in one place.

Lake Elsinore: various times, including at Latino markets Ibarra’s Market, twice in December 2008

January 23, 2009: San Bernardino Day Laborer Corner Several workers detained and deported

January 29, 30. 31, February 1, 2009: Riverside Day Laborer Corner in Casa Blanca, at 91 freeway and Madison St.
11 people detained by Riverside police and transferred directly to Riverside Border Patrol, as many as 19 more taken directly by Riverside Border Patrol
Most detained based on loitering, trespassing (standing in Home Depot parking lot), and riding their bikes on the sidewalk. One African-American person with drug possession was cited and released—he was not transferred to the Border Patrol or arrested. The others were transferred to Border Patrol for “translation and identification” purposes. The police said that they needed the Border Patrol to translate for them with the people they detained and help with identifications. This operation was conducted as a part of the “BP Alert” program where Border Patrol provides identification and translation services to local police departments. At least one person detained has been released pending his legal case against his detention.

January 31: Moreno Valley Day Laborer Corner @ Home Depot:
At least 6 people detained
This area was also raided a second day during the same time period

San Bernardino Transit Center—Greyhound Buses Latinos are regularly checked at the San Bernardino Transit Center and removed from the buses.

Corona day laborer corner, near Home Depot: at least one raid in early 2009

February 12, 2009: Riverside Day Laborer Corner in Casa Blanca
Border Patrol detained a minimum of 5 day laborers. April 22: San Bernardino Greyhound Station
4 patrols of Border Patrol and about 6 officers. They waited for buses arriving from border towns and conducted questioning of people who looked Latino.

April 22: Perris, CA
Perris Police conducted a traffic checkpoint, and detained several people for traffic violations and called Border Patrol. About 11 people were detained and transferred to Border Patrol. 

May 14: Cathedral City
4 people were detained by Border Patrol
A couple, including a pregnant woman, who were shopping nearby were also stopped and arrested. They are from El Salvador and have been in the country for 3 years. The Border Patrol set bail for the pregnant woman at ,000.

June 2: San Bernardino Day Laborer Corner at Lincoln Drive and 21st St.
7 day laborers detained by Border Patrol at around 11:30 am (2 were released by the Border Patrol the same day, 4 took voluntary departure, and 1 is challenging his detention)
San Bernardino Police Department was called by the Border Patrol to respond to the scene

June 4: Superior Market on Baseline in San Bernardino Three people detained by Border Patrol

June 8: San Bernardino Day Laborer Corner at Lincoln Drive and 21st St.
Between 8-10 day laborers detained by Border Patrol at around 9:00 AM

June 9: Several people were detained at the San Bernardino Greyhound station, including a pregnant woman.

June 9: At least one individual was detained by BP at the corner of Gamble and Van Buren in Riverside. He was injured and bleeding from the head. The individual requested a doctor but his request was refused. The Consulate was called for assistance.

June 17: Riverside Home Depot day laborer corner at Madison St.
Between 4 and 6 Guatemalans were detained by Border Patrol in and around Home Depot in Casa Blanca neighborhood, especially near the Los Amigos Market. One couple was said to have been detained as well. (Numbers to be confirmed by Consulate) One physically ill minor was released into his family’s custody. This was one day after a community forum where residents spoke out against the immigration raids.

June 17 and 18: High Desert
Several people were detained by the Border Patrol in Little Rock, Barstow and the 40 hwy. One witness said that about 10 people were detained at a Latino market. 4 detentions are confirmed so far.

June 18: Home Gardens area, near Corona Home Depot
9 immigrants detained by Border Patrol
One mother called the local elementary school to say that she had seen the Border Patrol vehicles patrolling the neighborhood as she was walking down the street. Terrified, she abandoned her stroller on the sidewalk and rushed home with her young child. School officials found the stroller abandoned on the sidewalk.

June 18: Riverside Home Depot day laborer corner at Madison St.
From 6-10 day laborers detained by Border Patrol in the neighborhood behind the Home Depot, near the Los Amigos Market. Coordination with the Border Patrol and the Home Depot security guard was evident. (Numbers to be confirmed by Consulate)

June 22: Rubidoux
A raid was confirmed at a bus stop and on a public bus in the Rubidoux area. The Border Patrol boarded the bus, closed the doors and did not allow anyone to enter or leave. They required everyone to show ID. One minor of 17 years was detained and deported the same day even though his parents are in California.

June 23: Ontario day laborer corner on Holt Ave. 6 day laborers confirmed detained at 8:30am in the neighborhood surrounding the day laborer corner – some eyewitnesses reported up to 12 detained.

June 26: Rancho Cucamonga day laborer corner on Arrow Hwy.
1 laborer detained at 8:30 am, another six detained in a house in the neighborhood. There may have been one other detention earlier in the morning.