Advocates mobilize in California’s Central Valley as deportation fears spread over Trump’s immigration orders

President Donald Trump’s executive orders on immigration — signed on his first day back in office — have reignited fears among immigrant communities across the Central Valley. 

The orders, which include attempts to end birthright citizenship and revive the “Remain in Mexico” policy, have also spurred local advocates into action.

In the agriculturally rich region, where immigrants form the backbone of the economy, nonprofits like Merced-based Cultiva Central Valley and the Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative (CVIIC) are stepping up to provide critical resources and support.

“We’ve received so many calls and messages from people who are scared, worried about immigration raids,” said Anabel Serna, health promoter coordinator with Cultiva Central Valley. 

“They’re asking for cards they can give to immigration officials. Many assume they’ll be detained and their children will be left alone. They’re even scared to go to the store.”

Among the strategies to help those fearing deportation, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) has developed the concept of red-colored cards to help individuals assert their constitutional rights during encounters with immigration or law enforcement officials. 

These cards inform individuals of their right to remain silent, refuse consent to a search without a warrant, and the right to speak with an attorney if detained.

“This card empowers people to say, ‘I’m not going to open that door,’” said Claudia Gabriela Corchado, Cultiva Central Valley’s director. “It’s something we can give them immediately, and it gives them a sense of security.”

Corchado shared that her organization has already produced approximately 500 red cards. Demand for the cards shows no signs of slowing, said Corchado, adding that Cultiva Central Valley is committed to printing more as the need continues to grow.

Emotional trauma grows in immigrant community

The fear among immigrant families in the Central Valley extends far beyond legal concerns. It has permeated their daily lives, creating an atmosphere of constant anxiety.

Corchado shared heartbreaking stories of children begging their parents not to leave the house, terrified they may not return. 

“The trauma is real,” she said. “Kids are telling their parents, ‘Don’t go anywhere; immigration might take you.’ This fear doesn’t just go away — it stays with them.”

For many families, this fear has changed how they interact with trusted organizations like Cultiva Central Valley. Serna described how some residents, once comfortable welcoming her into their homes for outreach visits, now hesitate. 

“People are behaving with panic and distrust,” she said. “Even those who know us prefer to meet in public or avoid contact altogether.”

Resources and support available

Amid this pervasive fear, Cultiva Central Valley is one of several groups statewide meeting urgent needs with tools like the red cards to help families assert their rights. 

Meanwhile, CVIIC is expanding its reach, offering legal and educational resources to provide a broader lifeline for immigrant families across the Valley.

“CVIIC organizes free immigration legal services workshops throughout the region,” said Jesus Martinez, executive director of CIVIIC.

Recent workshops were held in Visalia and Fresno, with more planned in the coming weeks. 

CVIIC also hosts informational “Know Your Rights” presentations in public forums and at private events requested by partner organizations.

The organization’s website provides downloadable guides in English and Spanish to help immigrants understand their rights and navigate the legal system. 

A regional directory of nonprofit immigration legal services agencies, which includes contact information and services offered, is also available.

“The single most important resource that we share with the public is a regional directory of nonprofit immigration legal services agencies,” Martinez said.

Corchado said local organizations and immigrant advocates will continue to work tirelessly to provide guidance and reassurance in the likely difficult years ahead.

“These are essential workers and families who contribute so much to our society,” Corchado said. “We’ll keep fighting to ensure they’re supported and protected.”

President’s executive orders stokes anxiety

While organizations like CVIIC focus on meeting immediate needs, the broader policies fueling these fears continue to loom large.

Among the flurry of executive orders Trump has issued thus far is an attempt to end birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to non-citizen parents, which many critics and constitutional experts argue violates the 14th Amendment. 

Trump has also taken steps to revive the controversial Remain in Mexico policy, forcing asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases are processed in U.S. courts. 

In a statement Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced new directives expanding immigration enforcement. 

Among the changes, DHS declared in a statement that “Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest …The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.” 

This shift has alarmed advocates and immigrant communities who warn such measures put migrants in precarious and dangerous conditions, further compounding the risks they already face.

While legal challenges to these orders are underway, the announcement has created a chilling effect, adding to the fears of families and individuals living with the constant threat of deportation. 

Quiet deportations: A hidden threat

While fears of large-scale immigration raids dominate public perception, experts warn that mass deportations may take a quieter approach.

Instead of dramatic sweeps, the Trump administration could expand existing collaborations between local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through programs like the 287(g) Program.

These agreements deputize local police to act as immigration agents, creating a direct pipeline from routine traffic stops to deportation proceedings. 

Additionally, the administration may broaden the definition of deportable offenses, criminalizing minor infractions such as shoplifting or driving without a license.

Local advocates say this quieter approach could devastate immigrant communities. The constant threat of deportation, whether through high-profile raids or everyday interactions with law enforcement, creates an environment of fear that disrupts daily life and discourages engagement with schools, healthcare, and other public institutions.

Immigration detention adds to this burden. César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández, author of “Immigration Detention as Punishment,” argues that detention facilities operate more like prisons, perpetuating a stigma of criminality.

“The legislative origins and practical implementation of immigration detention are rooted in punitive measures,” Hernández wrote, highlighting how policies from the 1980s and 1990s tied immigration enforcement to the war on drugs.

Mexico’s Consular Network steps in

As immigrant communities grapple with these sweeping changes, Mexico’s government, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum has unveiled a comprehensive program to support its nationals in the U.S.

“They should know that they have rights, that you cannot deport a person by taking them to the border, but rather that a series of legal procedures must be followed, which are procedures in the United States,” said Sheinbaum in a news release.

As part of this initiative, the Mexican government introduced the “ConsulApp,” which features a “Botón de Alerta” (Alert Button) to support its nationals.

This application lets users quickly notify consulates, family members, and the Mexican Foreign Ministry if detained by immigration authorities. 

Currently, the app is available exclusively on Android devices, with iOS compatibility pending approval. 

Foreign Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente emphasized the government’s commitment.

“The Mexican government, through its consular network in the United States, will defend the human rights of its citizens in accordance with international law,” he said in a news release.

Additionally, consulates have expanded resources, including the Centro de Información y Asistencia a Personas Mexicanas – Center of Information and Assistance for Mexican Persons (CIAM), a 24/7 call center offering legal assistance, and the Programa de Asistencia Jurídica a través de Asesorías Legales Externas – Program of Judicial Assistance through External Legal Assessments (PALE), which employs legal advisors across the U.S. 

Mexican nationals can access legal assistance and guidance by calling CIAM at 520-623-7874 (U.S. and Canada) or 001-520-623-7874 (Mexico).

De La Fuente said that special attention will be given to all Mexican citizens who wish to return to Mexico, as well as to those who might face deportation and their families. 

“We are also making extensive efforts to encourage all those with children born in the United States to register them with the consulates,” he said. “Not everyone has done this yet. We strongly encourage everyone to register with our consulates as this enables us to provide legal protection when needed.”

Contribution of migrants to the economy

De La Fuente also highlighted the significant contributions of Mexican nationals to both the U.S. and Mexican economies.

In 2023 alone, Mexican nationals sent over $60 billion in remittances to Mexican families. 

According to U.S. data, Mexican migrants accounted for approximately 8% of the United States’ Gross Domestic Product, which totaled $27.7 trillion last year.

Among the 38.4 million Mexicans living in the United States, 11.5 million are first-generation migrants, including 4.8 million undocumented individuals. 

De La Fuente noted that two years ago, undocumented Mexicans contributed approximately $42.6 billion in taxes, while Mexican migrants as a whole contributed close to $121.5 billion.