It's not particularly a "surge" in crime, as the issue (illegal immigrants) has built up over time.

However, in years past, everybody just kind of overlooks it--and on the local level, it's basically not a problem beyond the normal folks being mad at demographics changing. Most all of the immigrants are working and participating in the economy--ironically, making them more vulnerable to the .gov than if they were just criminals!--and that's fine for the cities.

But, now, the federal .gov (under the direction of Trump et al) is deciding to finally enforce the law and doing so in the most cartoonishly thuggish and evil way possible.

"Fears about immigration" are bullshit inevitably most pushed by people who don't even live in areas with immigrants (legal or not).