Perris Mayor Michael Vargas urges residents to stay indoors and avoid strangers amid intensified ICE operations in the area. The city's population is largely Hispanic or Latino, creating heightened fear in the community. Vargas encourages residents to remain calm, know their rights, and avoid unnecessary outings. While he expresses concern about ICE arrests, he clarifies that city officials cannot intervene with federal actions. The message aims to promote safety and awareness during a time of increased enforcement targeting immigrant communities.
"Stay home and do not open the door to strangers," Perris Mayor Michael Vargas said during a video message on Instagram.
Roughly 78% of the Riverside County city's 83,000 residents are Hispanic or Latino, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
This message is for awareness and safety," Vargas said. "The city is committed to protecting the dignity and well-being of all our residents."
However, the City of Perris does not have the legal jurisdiction to interfere with federal immigration officials during their investigations and as such we do not have the ability to do much beyond encouraging residents to research and to know their legal rights."
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