A city councilwoman from Coachella, California, says she is being targeted for political reasons after FBI agents detained her husband in a Walmart parking lot on an immigration detainer.
Yadira Perez, who serves on the Coachella City Council, told KESQ that she may resign if her husband is deported, which could impact the city’s government.
Perez revealed that her husband, Isidro Jimenez, was arrested for drug possession in 1994 before they met and was deported in 1995. However, he later returned to the U.S. illegally. Since then, he has been charged with two DUIs and a misdemeanor assault.
Emotional Reaction to Husband’s Arrest
Perez recorded a video as her husband was taken into custody by what she claims were FBI agents. In the video, she expressed her distress, saying, “My family was just separated. They have taken my kids’ father. These are desperate cries for help.”
She initially tried to keep her identity hidden, but later, in an interview with KMIR-TV, she openly spoke about the situation. Perez described her husband as her biggest supporter, especially during her first run for city council.
ICE Statement on the Arrest
According to a statement from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), 51-year-old Jimenez was arrested in a “targeted enforcement action.” ICE confirmed that he is a Mexican national and listed his criminal history, which includes:
- A DUI conviction in 2007
- A conviction for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse in 1998
- An assault with a deadly weapon charge in 2023
Perez strongly opposed his arrest, saying, “The separation of a family is not right, it’s inhumane!”
Released on Bond and Next Steps
Jimenez was released on bond on Tuesday and is scheduled for a hearing in April. Perez believes the arrest was politically motivated but has not provided evidence to support the claim.
Despite the situation, Perez remains determined to fight for her community. “People are playing dirty,” she said. “But I will keep fighting for my community until the end.”
The arrest comes amid strict immigration enforcement efforts. While some believe the action was routine, Perez suggests it was an attempt to silence her politically. The case will be closely watched in the coming months.
