FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — In a news conference organized by Fresno County Supervisor Gary Bredefeld, a group of local officials on Tuesday defended ICE agents.
Immigrant advocates are reacting to several claims made by those officials.
Supervisor Garry Bredefeld claimed that ICE agents are “under attack,” yet could not say if there is any threat to them here locally.
Division and fallout continue across the country as ICE operations and clashes with protesters continue.
RELATED: Protesters in Fresno demand justice after ICE agent fatally shoots woman in Minneapolis
“ICE, get the F*** out of Minneapolis,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
“ICE is not a danger or threat to our communities,” said Bredefeld. “I personally strongly condemn the growing attacks on ICE agents and reckless political rhetoric coming from radicals and extremists that vilify federal law enforcement for simply doing their jobs as required by the law.”
Standing beside a screen of alleged undocumented criminals from out of state, the supervisor said he has not seen any threats against ICE agents locally. He was then asked why he held the press conference.
“Are you watching what is happening in the country? That’s a stupid question. The fact is, ICE is under attack. You know, everybody knows it. We’re one step away from any violent attack happening here,” says Bredefeld.
Fresno immigrant advocates are now speaking out, denouncing the ‘divisive rhetoric’ made by the Supervisor.
“It’s shameful that one of our elected officials goes rogue on his own individual opinions and not really carrying the message of what Fresno is all about,” says Lady Diana Oliva, Casita Feliz Founder and CEO.
As the frustration grows on both sides following the fatal ICE shooting of a Minnesota protester, a new poll released Tuesday by Quinnipiac University says a majority of voters, 57%, say the deadly shooting was not justified.
“We shouldn’t see our local leader celebrating or protecting a rogue agency that is acting on an anti-immigrant and xenophobic agenda that is being put out by the Trump Administration. For us, it’s very concerning to hear those statements,” says Sukaina Hussain with the California Immigrant Policy Center.
According to The California Immigrant Policy Center, over the past four months, ICE officers have fired on at least nine people in five states and Washington, DC.
The Department of Homeland Security reports 275 assaults on ICE law enforcement since the start of President Trump’s term, compared to just 19 in 2024. That’s a more than 1,300% percent increase.
Just days after a protest in Fresno, immigration advocates say they are not backing down.
“We are not going to be quiet. We are not going to be intimidated, and we are not going to bow down to the wishes of Supervisors who decide to villainize communities who are just looking out for each other,” says Hussain.
We asked Supervisor Bredefeld if he was aware of any ICE operations underway here in Fresno County, and he said he was not.
He ended his comments on Tuesday by calling on other local leaders to voice their opinions on the matter.
Click HERE to hear Gary Bredefeld on the Broeske and Musson Show
