SAN ANTONIO – Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were seen walking Friday through Phil Hardberger Park, which prompted questions from some community members who contacted KSAT.
The photos were sent to KSAT Friday morning after four officers were seen walking along the trails.
KSAT reached out to ICE to ask why officers were at the park.
An ICE spokesperson sent the following statement in response:
“Every day, ICE carries out law enforcement activities nationwide to protect the American public. As part of these efforts, ICE routinely makes arrests in states across the country. ICE operations focus on apprehending criminal illegal aliens, including individuals charged with or convicted of serious offenses such as murder, rape, sexual offenses against children, gang activity, and other crimes. Notably, approximately 70% of ICE arrests involve illegal aliens who have been charged with or convicted of crimes in the United States.
We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $2,600 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to return to the U.S. the legal way, to pursue the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return."
KSAT went out to Hardberger Park on Friday evening to speak with parkgoers about their reaction to ICE officers being in the park.
Many described the park as a place where they come to exercise, spend time with family and relax.
“It’s kind of scary because usually there’s kids out here, too,” resident Alonso Martinez said when he reacted to the photos.
We showed photos of the officers to another parkgoer, Ella McArdle. She called the images unsettling.
“I think it is disgusting. I’m Hispanic myself. I’ve seen it impact the Hispanic community so much in San Antonio. I see it all over everywhere. In the park, it’s crazy,” McArdle said.
Marquetta Valdez owns a run club that meets at Phil Hardberger Park each week. Valdez said she worries the presence of immigration officers could discourage people from joining the group.
“I’m afraid that if I tell them, ‘Hey, ICE is in the area,’ that they’re not going to want to come anymore,” Valdez said.
KSAT asked ICE if it was common for officers to patrol public parks.
“Allegations that ICE law enforcement engages in ‘racial profiling’ are disgusting, reckless, and categorically FALSE,” an ICE spokesperson said. “What makes someone a target for immigration enforcement is if they are illegally in the U.S. — NOT their skin color, race, or ethnicity."
ICE said its officers use “reasonable suspicion” and routinely conduct law enforcement operations to protect the public, but the agency did not say whether any arrests were made at the park.
“ICE has authority for lawful arrests under 8 USC 1357,” an ICE spokesperson said. “Law enforcement officers use ‘reasonable suspicion’ to investigate immigration status and probable cause to make arrests consistent with the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include more information from ICE.
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