ICE Surge in Rep. Valadao's Toss-Up District Draws Voter-Intimidation Accusations Days Before Midterms

Reuters reports ICE sharply increased enforcement in California's 22nd District, a 73%-Latino, Bakersfield seat where Rep. David Valadao faces a close race against Democrat Randy Villegas before the Nov. 3 midterms. DHS data shows Bakersfield arrests rising from roughly one a day to nearly 10 a day in mid-October, with at least seven arrested in Wasco over a few days. An anonymous U.S. official said the White House directed the surge and told agents to make "as many arrests as possible"; United Farm Workers said it knew of hundreds detained recently.

Villegas called the arrests "a very clear attempt to try and intimidate our communities" before the election; a farmworker told Reuters some U.S.-citizen Hispanics fear voting could expose relatives' addresses. It fits a pattern of enforcement concentrated in competitive districts before elections, though no official body has found intimidation occurred.

DHS declined to comment, citing officer safety. Valadao said he understood "the fear and uncertainty" the enforcement created and urged prioritizing public-safety threats.