Palm Springs Residents Speak Out After Multiple ICE Detainments Witnessed in Shopping Centers

Palm Springs residents are voicing concern after witnessing what they describe as disturbing immigration detainments in local shopping centers — including at Loco Charlie’s and Vons. The incidents involved unmarked vehicles, masked individuals, and no clear identification that the operations were led by federal immigration agents.

NBC Palm Springs’ Caitlyn Kelley reported live from the parking lot between Albertsons and Loco Charlie’s at Sunrise Way and Vista Chino, where one of the incidents occurred Monday morning.

“It looked like a kidnapping,” said Eric, a Palm Springs resident who witnessed what he believes was an ICE operation. “I saw about seven unmarked vehicles and several large men with their faces covered. They put a smaller woman into a van and quickly drove off in separate directions.”

Eric was so alarmed by what he saw, he called the Palm Springs Police Department, unsure if what he witnessed was a legal ICE operation or something more sinister. Police Chief Andy Mills later confirmed that the department had not been informed by ICE about any operations that day — and it took several phone calls to verify their presence.

“I am aware that people without uniforms appeared as federal officers and stopped and detained people in Palm Springs,” Mills wrote in a Facebook post. “It took hours to determine if they were legitimate federal agents.”

Mills encouraged anyone who witnesses a similar situation to call 911, so police can verify the identity of those claiming to be federal officers.

Another Palm Springs resident, Caesar, captured video on Saturday in a separate incident at a Vons parking lot, showing workers being detained while filling their gas tank. He says when he tried to ask questions, the masked agents told the handcuffed men to remain silent.

A local business owner in the Sunrise shopping center said he alerted his staff when ICE activity was reported outside — and his team fled, fearing they too would be detained.

Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills appeared on The Roggin Report with Fred Rogan to provide further clarification. “We are not going to interfere with federal investigations,” Mills said. “But we do want to make sure these are legitimate actions by real federal agents.”

Mills also reminded residents of their rights when approached by immigration officers, and stressed the importance of filing appeals if wrongful detainment is suspected.

Fred Rogan will have more of his interview with Chief Mills tonight at 6:30 on The Roggin Report.

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