Arrests on US Army Base Ignite Fears of Military Coordination with ICE
Traffic stops on a rural California military base initially seemed routine—until immigration agents swiftly arrived, leading to arrests that have sparked significant concern among legal experts and lawmakers. These incidents, occurring at Fort Hunter Liggett, suggest a troubling collaboration between base police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), potentially violating longstanding US laws that restrict military involvement in domestic law enforcement.
A Trap on Jolon Road
Francisco Galicia found himself pacing a cold, cement-walled cell at Fort Hunter Liggett one January evening, his mind racing with thoughts of his five daughters waiting at home. Over several hours, immigration agents brought six more men into the cell, each sharing eerily similar stories of their arrests. All seven had been driving home from fishing at Lake San Antonio when an official in a white truck pulled them over along Jolon Road, a public two-lane road that cuts through a corner of the military installation.
The traffic stops appeared minor at first: a light out, an open gas cap, a trunk door ajar, or driving over the line. However, the officer then asked for a social security number. In each case, when the men couldn't provide one, immigration agents arrived within minutes to make arrests. They were held overnight on the base before being transferred to an immigration facility. Galicia, who was deported days later, remarked, "Seven fishermen went fishing, and we're the ones who got hooked."
Legal and Congressional Concerns
These arrests point to an apparent collaboration that has ensnared at least 15 men since late December, according to Galicia and a local rapid response network. The incidents raise serious questions about the role of Department of the Army civilian police at Fort Hunter Liggett, whose mission is to maintain law and order on base property. Experts argue this may violate the Posse Comitatus Act, a 19th-century law that prohibits the use of the military for domestic policing unless authorized by Congress.
William Banks, a Syracuse University law professor emeritus, noted that these traffic stops and on-base detentions represent a "creep in the wrong direction toward military participation in law enforcement." In response, California Congress members Zoe Lofgren and Jimmy Panetta penned a letter to homeland security and army officials in February, citing "serious questions regarding jurisdiction, interagency coordination, statutory authority, and the protection of civil liberties."
Details of the High-Stakes Stops
Galicia, a 36-year-old resident of Greenfield, was driving home from Lake San Antonio after a fishing trip when he noticed a white truck speeding toward him. Fearing a drunk driver, he braced for impact, but the truck slowed and flashed police lights. The officer, dressed in a dark civilian police uniform, cited a license plate light out and collected Galicia's California driver's license, insurance, and registration. Minutes later, the officer asked for a social security number, and when Galicia admitted he didn't have one, six immigration agents surrounded his car and arrested him.
An armed forces traffic ticket issued to Galicia supports his account, indicating he was stopped for a "warning" along Jolon Road. The officer identified himself with "FHL PD," the acronym for Fort Hunter Liggett's police department. The Monterey County Solidarity Rapid Response Network has received reports from family members of 11 people arrested under similar circumstances, confirming at least one other case of on-base detention.
Military and Immigration Response
In response to queries, an army spokesperson stated that Fort Hunter Liggett does not disclose specific law enforcement operations and has not received federal directives to work with ICE. The spokesperson explained that base police only ask for driver's license, vehicle registration, and insurance during routine stops, but individuals attempting to enter the cantonment area may be questioned about immigration status and referred to external agencies.
However, Galicia and the other men were not near the base's gated entrance, raising questions about whether Fort Hunter Liggett police broke policy by asking for social security numbers during traffic stops. Public affairs officer Amy Phillips declined an interview but provided a map showing shared jurisdiction along Jolon Road, stating that if drivers lack proper documentation, base police may "do a hand-off" to other agencies.
Legal Implications and Broader Context
Rachel VanLandingham, a retired air force lieutenant colonel and law professor, emphasized that Department of Defense regulations prohibit actions aimed at aiding civilian law enforcement or using "subterfuge" to bypass Posse Comitatus restrictions. She noted, "Asking for a social security number... is a clear tell that this was subterfuge," highlighting the trivial nature of the stops as a pretext for immigration checks.
Violations of the Posse Comitatus Act are federal crimes, though prosecutions are rare. This case echoes broader trends under the Trump administration, which has blurred lines between immigration enforcement and military duties, including deploying troops to the southern border and establishing detention camps on army bases. Similar incidents have occurred at other military installations, such as Camp Pendleton and Point Mugu, where immigration arrests have taken place at entrance gates.
Personal Fallout and Future Uncertainties
Since his deportation, Galicia has been grappling with separation from his family in California. He crossed into the US unauthorized at age 16 and spent two decades supporting his family, but now finds himself back in Guerrero, Mexico, building a home while his wife and children plan to join him. His daughters, all US citizens, struggle to adapt to the idea of moving, with his three-year-old often in tears, asking why he doesn't come home.
Galicia's story, shared in a viral TikTok video warning others to avoid military areas, underscores the human cost of these enforcement actions. As legal and congressional scrutiny intensifies, the incidents at Fort Hunter Liggett highlight ongoing tensions between immigration policies and military roles, with potential implications for civil liberties and domestic law enforcement practices across the United States.
