ARTESIA, Calif. (Diya TV) — A surge of immigration raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the surprising arrival of National Guard troops have left Artesia’s Little India neighborhood shaken. Residents and shop owners say the increased enforcement is driving fear, pushing customers away, and hurting the local economy.
The panic started on June 13 when rumors spread that ICE agents planned to raid Pioneer Boulevard. Shop owners quickly shut their doors that afternoon. However, no agents showed up. The next morning, a team of more than 20 ICE officers wearing face masks and tactical gear raided a car wash. They arrived without a warrant, arrested five people, and refused to explain their actions to the manager. “People had their hands up and nobody checked their IDs,” one employee recalled. The South Asian Network captured the episode in a video, and they have been sharing it with the diaspora.
More tension arose on June 22 after about 50 National Guard troops attended Mass at Holy Family Catholic Church. Even though they came to pray, their uniforms scared parishioners. Many felt confused and unsafe. The priest called the Archdiocese for guidance. Father Isaac Cuevas, a senior Archdiocese official, advised the church to invite troops to a more private location in the future. “We appreciate their service,” Father Cuevas said, “but we want everyone to feel comfortable and at peace during Mass.”…