U.S. Border Patrol agents have arrested hundreds of undocumented immigrants in the Coachella Valley since January 2026, the agency says.
In a press release sent the afternoon of Tuesday, May 26, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency said dozens of convicted criminals had been detained and “substantial quantities” of drugs had been seized in the ongoing operation.
“The Premier Sector continues to deliver full spectrum immigration enforcement,” Acting Chief Patrol Agent of the El Centro Sector, Daniel I. Parra, said in the release. “Whether it’s human smuggling, drug trafficking, or removing dangerous offenders from our communities, Border Patrol agents remain committed to protecting the American people and securing our nation.”
The press release was the first time the El Centro sector of the agency had publicly detailed its activities locally. Since President Donald Trump took office, immigration enforcement has increased dramatically across the country.
Cities across the Coachella Valley have experienced protests and business disruptions as federal agents repeatedly visited the area.
The increased arrests have spurred both local residents and officials have spoken out against the arrests. But on Tuesday afternoon, the border protection agency revealed some of results of its actions. It did not provide a number of arrests beyond saying “hundreds.”
The agency said that among those who were arrested, two had previously been convicted of murder. Nine others had sex offense convictions and 49 had been convicted of driving under the influence. Other convictions include 23 for corporal injury or assault, 19 for drug offenses and 14 for grand theft and burglary.
Trump and members of his administration have said criminals would be the primary targets of immigration sweeps. The total number of people with criminal convictions arrested in the Coachella Valley since January equals 116, according to the figures provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. That means that, by its own account, the agency has arrested a significant number of people without criminal records.
The agency did not immediately respond to follow-up questions from The Desert Sun, although a spokesperson said answers on the specific number of arrests would be forthcoming.
Similarly, the press release said “substantial quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl andother dangerous narcotics” had been seized in the area without getting into details.
Border Protection agents have also arrested more than 250 undocumented immigrants who possess commercial driver’s licenses, according to the release. It was not clear whether that number was for the Coachella Valley or the entire area covered by the El Centro Sector. U.S. residents must have legal status in the country to obtain such licenses.
In general, Californians are largely opposed to the increased arrests of undocumented immigrants. A poll in April conducted by UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies and co-sponsored by The Los Angeles Times showed 64% of voters disapproved of Trump’s immigration policies, while only 33% supported.
G. Cristina Mora, the co-director of the institute, said at the time the poll indicated many California voters see federal immigration arrests as not only infringing on the individual rights of undocumented residents, but also infringing on the rights of citizens.
Sam Morgen covers local government for The Desert Sun. Reach him at smorgen@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Border Patrol has arrested hundreds in Coachella Valley this year
Reporting by Sam Morgen, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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