AP finds a hot spot for US immigration crackdown in a quiet corner of Arkansas

ROGERS, Ark. Cristina Osornios life unraveled quickly. Already separated from her husbandthe primary earner and father of her two youngest childrenand having lost their shared home, she found herself caught up in the nations intensified immigration crackdown months after her husband was deported to Mexico.

During a routine traffic stop in Benton County, located in northwest Arkansas, Osornio, a lawful permanent U.S. resident and mother of six, was jailed for several days under an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hold, according to official records. Her case highlights the county, home to Walmart headquarters, as a surprisingly active hub in federal immigration enforcement, revealed by an Associated Press review of ICE arrest data, local jail records, and interviews with residents, attorneys, and oversight organizations.

Benton County serves as a microcosm of what may happen in regions where local authorities cooperate extensively with ICE, aided by Department of Homeland Security financial incentives. While the collaboration has led to arrests and deportations of some violent offenders, it has also transformed minor offenses into pathways toward removal from the country, records indicate.

The immigrant communityincluding people from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and the Marshall Islandshas been deeply affected, with families torn apart, protests sparked, and fear spreading. Nobody is safe at this point because they are targeting you because of your skin color, said Osornio, 35, who has lived in the U.S. since she was three months old.

A Minor Traffic Stop Turns Into Detention

Her ordeal began in September when Rogers police cited her for driving without insurance and a suspended license. She was arrested for missing a misdemeanor court date and taken to Benton County Jail, where an ICE hold was applied. After four days, she was released without explanation, calling the experience very scary and detrimental to her health.

From January 1 to October 15, more than 450 individuals were detained by ICE in Benton County, averaging more than 1.5 arrests per day in a county of roughly 300,000. Most arrests occurred under the 287(g) program, allowing deputies to question booked inmates about their immigration status. The county accounted for over 4% of roughly 7,000 similar arrests nationwide in the first nine and a half months of the year.

Those flagged under 287(g) are often held without bond and transferred to ICE custody, typically moved to neighboring Washington County Detention Center in Fayetteville before potentially being sent to facilities in Louisiana and deported.

Expansion of ICE Partnerships

ICE now has over 1,180 agreements with local and state law enforcement agencies, up from 135 at the start of the current administration, often offering federal funds for training, equipment, and salaries. Arrests under these programs have surged, particularly in Republican-led states. Earlier this year, Arkansas passed a law requiring all county sheriffs to cooperate with ICE, either through 287(g) programs or by serving ICE warrants.

Impact and Controversy

Benton Countys collaboration with ICE, nearly two decades old, has grown more aggressive this year. Arrest data shows roughly half of detainees have criminal convictions, while the rest have charges pending, ranging from minor offenses to serious crimes like drug trafficking and sexual assault. Traffic stops for minor violations, such as driving without a license, increasingly result in ICE detentions, according to local observers.

County officials declined to comment, with Sheriff Shawn Holloway, a long-time program supporter, not responding to inquiries. Police body cam footage shows Osornio was stopped for insurance issues and a warrant from a misdemeanor domestic violence case. Despite presenting proof of residency, she remained on an ICE hold until it was abruptly lifted days later.

Community Fear and Racial Profiling

Nonwhite residents report widespread fear of driving and daily activity in northwest Arkansas. Some limit their outings, have groceries delivered, and avoid public spaces. This is a kind of jail, one would say, said Ernesto, 73, a Venezuelan-born custodian. Legal advocates note that Benton Countys cooperation with ICE has intensified under the Trump administration, leading to more frequent detentions and close collaboration with undercover agents.

Family Struggles After Deportation

Osornios husband, Edwin Sanchez-Mendoza, was deported after being detained by ICE following a misdemeanor arrest. His removal left the family financially and emotionally strained. Osornio struggles to support her children, manage health issues, and consider moving to Mexico despite safety concerns regarding cartel violence. She continues to await her new permanent residency card while navigating the fear that has reshaped her daily life in the U.S.

Ever since that happened to me, I dont go anywhere. I dont go out of my house, she said, reflecting the profound impact of the countys role in national immigration enforcement.

Author: Connor Blake