Man Jumps Jail Fence After Spotting ICE Officers

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An undocumented immigrant was released from the Santa Barbara County Jail on Friday morning when he spotted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers outside. The man, identified as 25-year-old Jhonathan Cosme Antonio, then jumped the jail's perimeter fence, injuring himself in the process. Deputies found Cosme Antonio hiding between storage containers and called for medical assistance. The incident drew a crowd of anti-ICE protesters to the jail.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement and local communities, as well as the risks undocumented immigrants face when encountering ICE officers. It also raises questions about the role of local law enforcement in assisting federal immigration authorities.

The details

Shortly after 8:30 a.m., an ICE officer told a deputy that they were attempting to apprehend a suspect who had run to the jail and jumped the fence. Deputies found Cosme Antonio hiding on the jail's secured, fenced exterior perimeter and called for medical assistance to treat his non-life-threatening injuries. The deputy issued Cosme Antonio a citation for trespassing, but it's unclear if he was ultimately picked up by ICE or released from the hospital.

• The incident occurred on Friday morning, shortly after 8:30 a.m., when Cosme Antonio was released from the Santa Barbara County Jail.
• Around 9:30 a.m., ICE officers asked deputies to assist with keeping the peace while they arranged to have a disabled ICE vehicle towed.

What’s next

CalCoastNews will provide further information about the incident and Cosme Antonio's status after it becomes available.