Reports of immigration sweeps in California’s Central Valley have put farmworkers at the center of Tuesday’s House election between Republican Rep. David Valadao and Democratic challenger Randy Villegas amid concern about access to agricultural jobs.
Voters in the 22nd Congressional District are choosing a representative after reports of increased enforcement in Fresno County. KVPR reported immigration activity there, including apparent roadside detentions of agricultural workers.
In an Oct. 10 statement, United Farm Workers President Teresa Romero said union members had been stopped and detained while traveling to agricultural worksites. She said union members had been subjected to stops and detention without warrants. Disputing the stated focus on people with criminal histories, Romero said, “These are not criminals.”
Valadao said in an Oct. 8 statement that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told his office its Central Valley operations focused on people with active warrants and known criminal histories. He also said farmworkers going to work “should not have to live in fear.” Romero’s account challenges the description Valadao gave of what DHS told him.
Villegas criticized the enforcement and Valadao’s response in an Oct. 8 campaign statement. He also criticized Valadao’s support for a 2025 bill, saying it would triple the budget of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The House Clerk’s roll call shows Valadao voted for the bill on July 3, 2025.
Section 100052 of the enacted law appropriated an additional $29.85 billion for ICE for fiscal 2025. That funding remains available through Sept. 30, 2029. The provision does not establish whether it paid for the reported Central Valley operations.
The reported stops have consequences beyond the campaign dispute. The union says members face detention and fear while traveling to work, and KVPR reported concern among agricultural employers about the enforcement activity.
California’s polls are scheduled to open at 10 a.m. ET (7 a.m. PST) and close at 11 p.m. ET (8 p.m. PST) Tuesday. The state says election-night results will begin appearing after polls close, with certified results due by Dec. 11.
