McCall dispels allegations that ICE operations tied to pumpkin patch

ESTANCIA — At a Torrance County Commission meeting Wednesday, Vice Chair Kevin McCall shot down rumors — first made by a teachers union before gaining steam over social media — that his business, McCall’s Pumpkin Patch, was tied to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“Our business is in no way communicating or working with ICE,” McCall said to a room filled with 20 residents of the county and numerous others over teleconference. “I want to be very clear. My decisions behind this table are for the betterment of this county, and it has no effect on my decisions with my personal business.”

The controversy was sparked after Albuquerque Teachers Federation President Ellen Bernstein emailed union members earlier this week, stating that McCall supported ICE and that commissioners ignored reports of unsafe conditions at the Torrance County Detention Center in the name of economic gain.

“He has proven to be an unquestioning supporter (literally) of using the Torrance County Detention Center to house people detained by ICE,” Bernstein wrote in the statement, which ended with “beware of rotten pumpkins.”

The tension comes after Torrance County commissioners unanimously voted in March to extend a contract that allows the detention facility to house ICE detainees.

The original 2020 agreement had already been extended once, adding seven months. The latest extension permits the facility to hold detainees for an additional four months.

McCall argued that criticism of the decision has come primarily from Albuquerque residents and people from out of state — not from within Torrance County.

After Bernstein’s statement, McCall issued a public statement on the pumpkin patch’s Facebook page and said “social media and other social media outlets have turned this in to a string of lies.”

During Wednesday’s meeting, fellow county commissioners voiced support for McCall, emphasizing the economic benefits the detention facility brings to the area.

“We’re 50th in education and I find it ironic that the union has the ability to throw these (statements) out to hamper economics, mislead students, to create fear,” Chair Ryan Schwebach said.

In a follow-up statement posted to Instagram on Tuesday, ATF said their job as educators was to protect all students regardless of immigration status.

“I think it’s important that everybody who is a consumer understands where they’re spending their money,” Bernstein said. “Why would he be upset that we told our members how he (McCall) voted as a commissioner?”

At least one lawmaker voiced their opinion on the matter.

“Enough with the cancel culture nonsense,” said Rep. Stefani Lord, R-Sandia Park. “Don’t let Ellen Bernstein, president of the Albuquerque Teachers Federation, and social-media liars and fearmongers impact a family-owned, community-first business.”

During public comment at Wednesday’s meeting, several people raised additional concerns, alleging environmental and safety issues at the detention facility, including a collapsed septic tank and malfunctioning cell doors that must be opened manually.