Fears of Immigration Roundups Already Disrupting Lives and CA’s Economy

Today’s California Farm Bureau newsletter reports that a US Border Patrol action in Kern County halted the citrus harvest last week. The Farm Bureau reports farm workers stayed home last week as an immigration enforcement operation conducted in Kern County by U.S. Border Patrol. They quote Peter Belluomini, a citrus farmer east of Bakersfield, who was is in the middle of harvesting lemons, mandarins and naval oranges as saying, “The crew didn’t show up,” “Instead of 30 people, there were like five,” and “The rest were hiding at home.” KPFA’s Vic Bedoyan reports on the sweep and its impacts….

It is important to not confuse this action by Border Patrol with the false reports of ICE actions in Humboldt County that are surfacing. Lisa Music will bring you a full report on those in tomorrow nights newscast