Immigration arrests persist after GOP defeat

The federal deportation campaign continued without pause following the midterm elections that returned Democrats to power in Congress. President Donald Trump acknowledged the shift in political momentum, stating in a CBS interview recorded on Friday that his administration's approach might have been too tough. He expressed a desire to negotiate with the rival party on immigration policy.

Despite the President's remarks, enforcement agencies maintained their operations. Stephen Miller, the primary architect of the hardline immigration agenda, was named chief of staff hours after the interview. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin issued an online post on Tuesday, the day after the election, asserting that deportations would continue. He emphasized that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operates every day, including holidays and election day.

In Los Angeles, masked officers in body armor blocked the emergency room driveway of Adventist Health White Memorial Medical Center early Saturday. The hospital is located in a heavily Latino neighborhood. Erick Gasca, 31, described seeing numerous vehicles with tinted windows and no license plates parked near the entrance. He believed the officers were preparing to raid the facility. A Justice Department prosecutor later explained the agents were bringing a detainee for medical treatment. Two individuals were arrested for assaulting federal officers during the scene, which drew about 30 residents.

In central Alabama, two 19-year-old Venezuelan brothers were detained while driving back to college. Luis and Carlos Orta-Santoro are soccer players at Wallace State Community College. Their aunt, Carolina Orta, said the family was devastated. The brothers had pending asylum applications and work permits. Homeland Security stated they had overstayed their legal entry and their cases would proceed before an immigration judge.

In Phoenix, a married couple from Orlando was arrested at the airport while traveling to a funeral. Gustavo Romanello and Agustin Baccega, both Argentine nationals with work permits, were stopped by casually dressed officers. A family friend heard an officer tell the couple that asylum seekers are not legally in the United States. Both men were taken into custody. They worked as acrobats in Florida and had no criminal records.

In San Diego, an 8-year-old Haitian boy was taken into custody on November 4. He had been living with his uncle since his father was deported last year. The uncle, who was not the legal guardian, brought the boy to an ICE office for a scheduled appointment. School officials wrote to administration leaders, noting that children should not lose access to education due to circumstances outside their control. Activists criticized the action, with one describing it as state-inflicted trauma.

The Department of Homeland Security declined to provide specific details on the Phoenix arrests. In a general statement, the department said it does not target hospitals, schools, or churches.