Immigrant Families in Arkansas Face New Fears Amid Rising ICE Enforcement

Fri Dec 05 2025 03:25:33 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In Benton County, Arkansas, a surge in ICE arrests has left immigrant families feeling targeted and fearful of deportation as enforcement policies shift under the current administration.

Cristina Osornio, a legal permanent resident and mother of six, was recently caught in a traffic stop that led to her being placed on an ICE hold, highlighting the increasing collaboration between local police and immigration enforcement. As ICE detentions rise in Benton County, many fear racial profiling and the impact of aggressive immigration policies on their families, sparking a community outcry and a sense of unease among those of immigrant backgrounds.

ROGERS, Ark. — Cristina Osornio, a legal permanent U.S. resident and mother of six, recently found herself entangled in a web of immigration enforcement after being arrested during a traffic stop in Benton County, Arkansas. Separated from her husband, who was deported shortly before, Osornio spent days in jail despite her lawful status, exemplifying the issues arising in an area noted for intensifying immigration crackdowns.

The region, often recognized as the home of Walmart's headquarters, has seen a significant rise in arrests attributed to an aggressive immigration policy. Not only has this targeted violent offenders, but it has also affected many with only minor violations. Currently, over 450 arrests have come out of the Benton County Jail within the year, feeding a narrative of fear that permeates the immigrant community.

Local law enforcement's cooperation with ICE has led to an escalation in arrests, intensifying fears amongst immigrants of racial profiling and deportation. Activists and local residents express concerns that people are being apprehended for minor traffic offenses merely due to their ethnicity, prompting community members to modify their daily routines and evade driving or even leaving their homes.

Osornio’s experience mirrors the anxiety felt by many in her community. Following her arrest for driving without insurance and a suspended license, she was taken into custody due to a previous misdemeanor warrant, bringing suspicion of her immigration status into play. Despite showing her legal residency, she was detained, illustrating an alarming trend of being misidentified as undocumented due to circumstances and how law enforcement is confronting this issue.

The growing partnership between ICE and Benton County highlights a broader national effort where local law enforcement agencies engage actively in immigration enforcement, leading to increased scrutiny and harsher consequences for minor infractions.

“Nobody is safe at this point because they are targeting you because of your skin color,” said Osornio of her experience, reflective of a community's growing unease as authorities tighten their grip on immigration policies.

While some argue this approach is vital for public safety, advocates assert it fractures families and instills widespread fear, prompting protests and calls for change in how law enforcement engages with immigrant populations.