Mexico City – More than half of Mexican citizens detained by US immigration agents and recently interviewed by Mexican consular authorities in Los Angeles have lived in the United States for at least 10 years.
Almost a third of those interviewed had children born in the US.
These are one of the findings of a study published Tuesday by Carlos González Gutiérrez, Mexican Consul General in Los Angeles.
The consul said the findings falsely exposed the broad notion that many people detained during the Trump administration’s workplace raids had recently crossed the border.
Horse riders will proceed along Alondora Boulevard in Compton during the human rights unification ride as an ongoing ice attack in the Los Angeles area will take place on June 22, 2025.
(Carlin Steel/Los Angeles Times)
“It’s clear that most of these people have roots in this country and have been integrated into American society,” the consul said. “These types of manipulation create fear and create panic.”
Los Angeles County is home to the country’s largest community of immigrants from Mexico.
The findings date from July 7 to 330 detained Mexican citizens interviewed since June 6th (who launched a continuous series of attacks by US immigration officers).
309 men and 21 women, all adults — were interviewed at a federal building in downtown Los Angeles after being detained “as a result of operations carried out by various federal agencies,” the consulate said in a news release.
Ana Banuelos, 43, waves the flag during a protest against the immigration raid at Glasshouse Farm in Camarillo on July 10, 2025.
(Julie Leopo/Age)
Although not included in the findings, it is scored by Mexican citizens detained on other federal sites and during recent attacks at Glasshouse Cannabis Facility in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.
Of those surveyed, 52% said they had been living in the United States for at least 10 years, and 36% said they had been living in the country for more than 20 years. Almost one in 3-31% – there was a child born in the United States.
The detained Mexican citizens included in the survey worked in a variety of occupations, the consulate said, but the largest sectors represented were car washes (16.4%), construction (13.3%), factories (13%) and landscaping (11.5%).
“The majority are hardworking individuals who have served the economy of Southern California over the years,” the consulate said.
There was nothing about how many of the 330 Mexican citizens deported to Mexico, and a few who decided to fight court removal.
“All deportations are devastating for those involved,” the consul said. “In every case, there are people and families who pay high prices and represent the high human costs behind every deportation.”
Diplomats assigned to a wide range of Mexico’s consulates across the United States are tasked with speaking with detained Mexican citizens and trying to provide legal and other help to them.
Mexican President Claudia Sinbaum, who publicly condemned immigrants “persecution” during the recent US raid, has directed consular authorities to increase support in light of the Trump administration’s deportation program.
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