Glendale Mayor Ardy Kassakhian has stated that city officials have no authority to interfere with federal law enforcement operations, addressing recent immigration enforcement activities and arrests in the heavily Armenian-populated city that have raised concerns within the local Armenian community.
In an interview with NEWS.am, Kassakhian explained that Glendale officials do not cooperate with the federal government in carrying out immigration enforcement operations and have no jurisdiction to intervene. According to the mayor, federal agents have conducted similar operations not only in Glendale but also in other communities throughout California and across the United States.
Kassakhian said one of the main concerns is that residents often cannot determine who is being targeted during immigration enforcement operations. He noted that individuals seeking asylum or in the process of obtaining permanent residency are also being detained.
“People who witness these operations cannot determine exactly who is being arrested, and the lack of transparency creates considerable anxiety and concern,” Kassakhian said.
The Glendale mayor also acknowledged that city officials do not have information on how many Armenians have been arrested during these immigration enforcement operations.
“We do not have such data because we do not cooperate with the federal government, and they do not cooperate with us on these matters. This is frustrating for us,” Kassakhian added.
