Community calls for action after ICE raid in Richmond’s Southwood Neighborhood
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Family members, elected officials and community advocates are speaking out after a controversial U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid took place Wednesday morning in the Southwood neighborhood off Hull Street.
According to Richmond Police, officers responded to a report of a missing man in the area. However, upon arrival, they discovered the man was already in federal custody.
At a press conference held at the Southwood Apartments, Delegate Mike Jones and New Virginia Majority, an immigrant rights group, condemned the ICE operation and called for immediate action. Among those affected was a 21-year-old Honduran national, identified by his mother as Ricardo Martinez-Cantarero.
Speaking through a translator, the mother emotionally recounted the moment she realized her son had been taken.
“I asked them, ‘What’s wrong with my child?’” she said. “Then the next thing I heard was that they broke the windows of his car.”
She explained that her son had been leaving for work around 5:45 a.m. When he didn’t arrive, his boss called her around 7:00 a.m. She then contacted the police, unaware he had been apprehended by ICE.
“I stood there like crazy, screaming,” she recalled. “I called the police and said, ‘I don't know where my son is.’ They said, ‘Okay, we're going to investigate.’”
The mother said her son came to the United States at the age of 16 seeking asylum. She believes the arrest may have been linked to a missed court date for an asylum hearing that he was unaware of. She also alleged that agents broke the window of his car, confiscated his phone and took him into custody without explanation.
Local leaders were quick to respond. Del. Jones denounced the raid.
“No one should live in fear in the United States of America,” Del. Jones said.
He and members of New Virginia Majority expressed concern that ICE actions have left many residents too afraid to report crimes or appear in court.
Josue Castillo, a representative of New Virginia Majority, said, “They don't feel safe to go in public spaces. I’ve met victims of shootings who feel unsafe going to court and testifying as witnesses because of what they've been seeing.”
In a written statement, Richmond Mayor Danny Avula said:
"Richmond is a city that stands for inclusion, compassion, and care for each of our residents and, as Mayor, I will do everything within my power to protect and support Richmonders. Our local police officers will continue to focus on keeping our neighborhoods safe through community policing, not on enforcing this federal policy."
Councilwoman Nicole Jones of the 9th District also issued a statement:
"My heart is heavy today. I am saddened by the reports of an ICE raid that took place in our 9th District. The 9th District is a place of rich and cultural diversity, where everyone regardless of immigration status deserves to feel safe, living with dignity and without fear."
Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards noted that 911 calls in the Southwood area have decreased, which he attributes to fear surrounding ICE raids.
Delegate Jones said legislative change is needed to protect communities and announced that Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner are working on a bill to address ICE transparency and accountability.
Riverside Regional Jail records show that Martinez-Cantarero was released from its custody. ICE's online records as of Thursday night show that he is in custody at the Caroline Detention Facility in Caroline County.
