Immigration officers conduct operation in Richmond’s North & East neighborhood

Federal immigration officers carried out an operation in Richmond’s North and East neighborhood Wednesday morning, city officials confirmed, but local police said they were not involved.

Richmond Assistant Police Chief Tim Simmons confirmed that a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation was conducted on Humphrey Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday morning.

Simmons emphasized the department’s hands-off approach to federal immigration activities.

“We do not inquire from them. We do not ask them what they’re doing,” Simmons said during a Community Police Review Commission meeting Wednesday evening, adding that the department only reached out to confirm the agents’ presence after becoming aware of the operation.

“Our officers are not engaged in any way, shape or form with their operations,” Simmons said. “We do not coordinate with them. We will not coordinate with them. We stand behind our sanctuary policy as a city.”

Residents began sharing accounts of the action earlier in the day.

“ICE is in Richmond. This just happened to my neighbor this morning. My heart breaks for this family,” Ryan Zulewski posted on the neighborhood platform Nextdoor. “Look out for these mini vans and the cowards that wear masks and arm themselves with automatic rifles, driving these unmarked mini vans.”

Mayor Eduardo Martinez also confirmed the reports in a statement.

“This morning, DHS/ICE officers were reported on Humphrey Avenue (North & East neighborhood) in Richmond. At this time, we do not have details on the nature of the action. RPD was not involved,” Martinez wrote. “We are monitoring the situation closely and will share updates as more information becomes available.”

A city community update advised residents that if they see ICE activity in Richmond, they should call the Community Rapid Response Number at 510-240-9420.

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