Areas surrounding Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Montecito home have been hit with raids over the last month as US President Donald Trump continues efforts to detain illegal immigrants who pose a risk to public safety. Over the last few weeks, various areas across Santa Barbara and LA have been engulfed in chaos as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers descend on towns as part of immigration enforcement work.
Turning up in unmarked vehicles for these unannounced detentions, the ICE raids have caused anxiety in neighbourhoods around Montecito. This includes one drastic raid on Glass House Farms in Carpinteria and Camarillo just weeks ago.
It is believed that on July 10, military-style vehicles arrived at the farm and handcuffed people on the spot to detain them.
As reported by The Montecito Journal, chaos quickly erupted as members of the community and public officials protested against this, forming a "human barrier" along Casitas Pass Road in Carpinteria.
This reportedly led to some violence with smoke grenades launched and people pushed to the ground.
This is not the raid to have taken place this month, with ICE and Homeland Security agents having also carried out unannounced detentions in other areas not far from Harry and Meghan's mansion.
This includes in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Maria, Ventura, Oxnard, and Fillmore.
ICE raids have taken place more frequently since the start of the year.
As reported by the BBC, Trump called on federal agencies in June to "do all in their power" to deliver "the single largest mass deportation programme in history".
It is believed the US President wanted ICE teams to focus on Los Angeles, Chicago and New York as part of their efforts.
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