ICE Activity Near College of the Desert Sparks Concern Across Coachella Valley

Concerns over immigration enforcement activity are growing across the Coachella Valley after an internal email involving College of the Desert staff began circulating online this morning.

According to college officials, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were seen near the school’s Indio campus, but no enforcement action occurred on campus grounds. School leaders say ICE confirmed activity in the area and reported that agents detained a man following a foot chase near the campus.

The incident comes amid a wave of social media posts and videos documenting suspected ICE operations throughout the Coachella Valley. In Cathedral City, residents shared footage earlier this week appearing to show federal agents wearing face coverings while inspecting vehicles. Additional videos have surfaced from Palm Springs, Thousand Palms and Bermuda Dunes.

Local leaders, including Naomi Soto, Palm Springs Councilmember Grace Garner and Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, gathered at Palm Springs City Hall to call for greater accountability, transparency and protections for immigrant communities.

The Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice says it has documented at least 19 confirmed immigration enforcement operations across Riverside and San Bernardino counties over a two-day period through its rapid response hotline network.

Coalition representatives say the hotline activates hundreds of volunteers who document enforcement activity, help families locate detained loved ones and connect impacted individuals with legal services.

Officials are encouraging community members to report immigration enforcement activity through the hotline as concerns continue to spread throughout the region.

NBC Palm Springs says it will continue following developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.