ROGERS, Ark. — Cristina Osornio was already separating from her husband when a routine traffic stop spiraled her into the depths of the nation’s escalating immigration enforcement. Recently arrested, she spent several days in jail due to an ICE hold, despite being a legal permanent resident and mother of six.
The seemingly quiet Benton County, known as the home of Walmart headquarters, has turned into a hotbed of ICE activity, a troubling sign of what many communities may face as local law enforcement increasingly collaborates with federal immigration agents.
This year alone, over 450 people were arrested under ICE holds in Benton County, which has a population of about 300,000. This translates to 1.5 arrests a day, many stemming from minor traffic violations.
“Nobody is safe at this point because they are targeting you because of your skin color,” said Osornio, who has lived in the U.S. since infancy.
The partnership between local law enforcement and ICE has sparked fear among immigrant communities. Advocates warn of racial profiling as minorities, regardless of their immigration status, fear driving or interacting with police.
“This feels more aggressive. We’re seeing more frequent detentions for extremely minor charges,” stated Nathan Bogart, an immigration attorney.
Osornio's journey exemplifies the pain many face. After her husband Edwin was deported to Mexico, she struggled to keep her family afloat, working retail while managing mounting bills and reflecting on the absence felt by their children. The family’s financial hardships elevate their already precarious situation.
As local law enforcement agencies continue enhancing their cooperation with ICE, Osornio's case reveals the escalating fear and unintended consequences affecting families across the state.
“We don’t know if we are safe here anymore,” Osornio lamented, capturing the uncertainty and trauma faced by many immigrant families in the region.
