TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — A community-led pushback against immigration policy on the local level.
I'm Alberto Camargo in downtown Tallahassee.
Learning why this group behind me — the Tallahassee Community Action Committee — are on the steps of the Leon County Courthouse to demand that the capital city become a sanctuary city for undocumented immigrants.
Immigration raids have been carried out here in Tallahassee — it was confirmed by Florida Highway Patrol on social media Tuesday.
FHP says it conducted "a joint operation with federal partners at Homeland Security Investigations in Tallahassee and detained 12 individuals who were believed to be illegally residing in the State of Florida."
Homeland Security Investigations is part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement -- or ICE.
The news caused members of the Tallahassee Community Action Committee to organize on short notice.
"I think it's terrifying, I think it's mortifying."
On social media, TCAC called the raids an attack on immigrants rights and an attack on everyone.
Committee president Delilah Pierre says they gathered Tuesday to demand that Tallahassee and Leon County leaders — "Deprioritize arresting immigrants in our city. We know that the city of Tallahassee has the power to make arresting undocumented immigrants the lowest priority of police officers here. And we know the county commission has some kind of power over how these arrests are going."
I have not heard back from any local officials about their response to TCAC's demands.
I also contacted officials at FHP for more information about the raids. They were not allowed to comment but referred me to the Florida Highway Safety Motor Vehicles spokesperson.
I have not gotten a response.
On social media, FHP went on to say, "we are ready and willing to follow the governor's lead and work with federal partners to execute the Trump illegal immigration mandate!"
Shortly after this rally, members of TCAC headed into this evening's County Commission meeting to voice their demands directly with county commissioners.
In downtown Tallahassee, Alberto Camargo, ABC27.
ORIGINAL STORY:
12 people were detained, believed to be illegally residing in Florida.
This is according to the Florida Patrol Highway Patrol.
In a social media post, the agency said they conducted a joint operation with federal partners at Homeland Security Investigations in Tallahassee detaining the 12 suspected individuals.
The work comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order that could revoke U.S. citizenship for some children born in the U.S.
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ABC 27 reached out to FHP but they have been tight-lipped on the operation.
Check back for updates.
