In a recent immigration enforcement operation in Hawthorne, California, tensions flared as federal agents detained a pregnant woman while attempting to apprehend two men suspected of living in the country illegally. The incident unfolded near a busy intersection at 120th Street and Hawthorne Boulevard, where the truck carrying the men was wedged between a fence and two Border Patrol vehicles.
Witnesses reported that agents were handcuffing the woman, identified as Cary López Alvarado, who is a U.S. citizen. This sparked outrage among onlookers, with one woman shouting, “Let her go, she’s pregnant!” As the situation escalated, masked agents stood guard with less-lethal weapons, telling the crowd to back away.
This operation is part of a broader immigration enforcement effort in Southern California, which has raised concerns in Hawthorne, a city with a significant Latino population. Approximately half of the city’s residents are Latino, and around 30% are foreign-born. The recent raids have caused fear and anxiety within the community, leading to protests and expressions of anger from local residents.
Alvarado stated that the agents had been following her husband and co-worker when they arrived at a maintenance job site. After she opened the gate for her husband, agents confronted her. She recorded a video of the encounter, where she insisted they were on private property and refused to let them in. Though she was briefly taken into custody for obstruction, she was later released but subsequently experienced abdominal pain and went to the hospital.
The impact of the raids has been felt throughout the community. Local businesses reported a decline in customers, with some workers calling in sick out of fear of being detained. For instance, a manager at a nearby Denny’s saw his sales drop significantly after the incident, attributing it to the heightened anxiety among residents.
Community leaders, including Father Arturo Velascos of St. Joseph Catholic Church, expressed concern about how these raids might affect church attendance. He noted that many undocumented individuals fear leaving their homes, even for church services, due to the risk of deportation. The church has been proactive, holding workshops to inform parishioners of their rights.
As the community grapples with the consequences of these enforcement actions, residents like Maria Perez and Ruben Esquivel have voiced their frustrations. Perez, a Cuban and American citizen, described the emotional toll of witnessing the incident, while Esquivel noted that many people are now afraid to leave their homes.
The situation remains tense in Hawthorne, where the recent immigration raids have left many residents feeling vulnerable and anxious about their safety and livelihoods.