Ward 2 Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes is proposing new policies requiring federal agents to identify themselves to local authorities following a federal operation at the Madison Street Home Depot.
Social media video reviewed by The Raincross Gazette shows masked agents wearing U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) uniforms handcuffing multiple individuals and loading them into unmarked black SUVs at the Home Depot location. The exact date of the operation could not be confirmed.
In a video statement posted to her State Assembly campaign social media account, Cervantes said, "ICE has been coming into our communities and abducting members of our community. Several people were abducted today from the Home Depot off of Madison Street."
While Cervantes referred to the agents as ICE, the uniforms visible in the video indicate Border Patrol and HSI personnel. Both agencies, along with ICE, operate under the Department of Homeland Security umbrella.
The Riverside Police Department confirmed to The Raincross Gazette they were not notified of any federal immigration enforcement operations in the city.
"No, we were not notified," said Officer Ryan J. Railsback, RPD Public Information Officer, when asked about recent immigration operations.
Railsback explained that under the California Values Act, local law enforcement is prohibited from using resources for immigration enforcement except in limited cases involving serious crimes.
"Our responsibility at the Riverside Police Department is clear; we enforce state and local laws, investigate crimes, and protect the members of our community regardless of immigration status," Railsback said.
Cervantes plans to introduce policy recommendations to the City Council that would require federal agents to provide their badge number, name and agency affiliation when operating in Riverside.
"I personally will not stand for this in our community and allow for our community and our neighbors to be terrorized, for them to be racially profiled," Cervantes said in her statement.
The councilmember also announced plans to launch "community defense workshops" across Riverside and the Inland Empire to train residents on how to respond when federal agents enter their communities.
When community members report suspicious law enforcement activity, Railsback advised: "If another agency is believed to be conducting enforcement here, it's best to contact them directly, as we may not be notified of their activity."
Legal experts note that local jurisdictions have limited authority to regulate federal law enforcement operations, which could present challenges for Cervantes' proposed policies.
