Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum denounces U.S. immigration raids targeting Latino workers in California, pledges expanded consular support, and warns of economic fallout for the United States.

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In a forceful morning press conference on July 11, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the latest wave of U.S. immigration raids, which have disproportionately targeted Latino communities in California.

The raids, led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Trump administration, resulted in the detention of hundreds of migrant workers, including 355 Mexican nationals, in agricultural regions surrounding Los Angeles.

Since President Trump’s return to office on January 20, more than 73,000 people have been deported to Mexico, the majority of whom are repatriated Mexicans. Sheinbaum revealed that since she assumed the presidency in October 2024, a staggering 138,000 people have been deported, including 126,000 Mexicans and 11,000 foreign nationals.

Sheinbaum sharply criticized the raids as “very unfair,” warning that such actions would “greatly damage the United States economy.” She emphasized that Latino and migrant labor is indispensable to U.S. agriculture and other vital sectors, stating, “Without that labor, the fields of California and other states won’t be productive.”

The most recent ICE operations targeted two state-licensed marijuana plantations in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, both owned by Glass House Farms. These raids not only resulted in mass detentions but also sparked protests and confrontations between federal agents and community activists. Reports indicate that agents used tear gas and crowd-control tactics against demonstrators, intensifying an atmosphere of fear and resistance within immigrant neighborhoods.

In response, Sheinbaum announced an expansion of resources for Mexican consulates in the United States, prioritizing legal assistance and emergency support for detained migrants. “We are expanding resources, the budget for the consulates, especially for legal support. We want to ensure that no resources are lacking to support our brothers and sisters there,” she declared.

The Mexican consular network has activated emergency protocols, fielding dozens of calls from families of detainees and dispatching staff to review detention centers. Sheinbaum underscored that the government’s commitment is unwavering: “They are not criminals. They went there to seek a better life for their families, but the United States needs them. It needs Mexican workers, who are heroes and heroines who sustain the economy in the fields, in services, in factories.”

Sheinbaum’s condemnation of the raids is part of a broader call for respect for migrant rights and dignity. She has repeatedly urged U.S. authorities to uphold due process and human rights, while denouncing any attempt to criminalize those who contribute daily to the prosperity of both nations.

As the Trump administration intensifies its crackdown on immigrant communities, Sheinbaum’s government stands firm in defense of migrant families,demanding justice, solidarity, and recognition of the vital role that Latino workers play in the United States.

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