With immigration raids reported across California and military deployments stirring fear in Los Angeles, Central Valley residents are among the thousands of people making their voices heard at protests throughout the nation.
As tensions rise, community organizers and civil rights advocates are advising community members, immigrants and protesters about the importance of knowing their rights.
“The recent ICE raids carried out in Los Angeles — followed by the arrest of protestors and the unilateral deployment of the National Guard — are an unconscionable use of state power to terrorize immigrant communities and their allies,” said Amada Armenta, faculty director at the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute, in a statement.
“These actions do not make us safer. They are designed to instill fear, disrupt lives, and punish immigrant Angelenos who contribute to the social and economic fabric of our neighborhoods.”
Armenta said such tactics set a dangerous precedent. She emphasized the need to challenge policies that criminalize immigrants. “Our communities deserve dignity, not intimidation,” she said.
Across California, civil rights advocates are warning that the current wave of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and military deployments risks silencing immigrant communities through fear.
While protests are being organized across the Central Valley, many say the chilling effect on immigrant residents is already being felt.
National and statewide tension
President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of around 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 active‑duty Marines to Los Angeles to support ICE operations in response to widespread protests, Reuters reported.
California has sued to block the deployment, which leaders like Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass described as authoritarian and politically provocative.
A federal judge ruled Trump’s deployment of approximately 4,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles in support of ICE raids was unconstitutional under the Tenth Amendment and exceeded presidential authority.
The injunction was set to take effect at noon on Friday. However, later that day, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the ruling, which allowed the federal government to keep command of the guard until a hearing scheduled for next Tuesday.
The back-and-forth legal fight, combined with aggressive ICE operations on the ground, has fueled protests in cities across the Central Valley and significant disruptions in Los Angeles, where more than 350 people have been arrested and sections of downtown remain under curfew.
In Merced, where Latinos make up a majority of the population, this national conflict hits home. Plus, in January “Operation Return To Sender, conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents in Kern County, led to 78 arrests.
What to do in case of a workplace raid
Many immigrant workers face the risk of unexpected enforcement where they earn a living, making it just as important to understand what to do if agents show up at the workplace.
During a workplace immigration raid, agents may present different types of documents to justify their presence, but not all carry the same legal weight.
Understanding the difference between these warrants can help workers and supervisors protect their rights and prevent unauthorized entry into private areas.
According to a presentation by the UC Davis Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety on immigration enforcement in agricultural workplaces, there are two key ways to identify a judicial warrant: it must be issued by a court and signed by a judge.
The judge’s signature block typically appears at the bottom of the document and includes the judge’s full name and official title.
At the top of the warrant, the issuing authority, usually the name of a federal or state court, confirms that the document originates from the judicial system.
By contrast, an administrative order is issued by the Department of Homeland Security and will list that agency as the issuing authority at the top of the page.
Instead of a judge, the signature at the bottom will come from an immigration agent, typically including their name and title within the department.
“It doesn’t have that weight to give them access to private areas,” said program director Heather Riden. “The difference between the judicial and administrative procedures is that the latter doesn’t give them permission to enter private areas. What they’re really doing is asking for help, to arrest this certain person, but they won’t be able to enter the private areas of their company.”
They recommend that supervisors and team leaders should begin by assessing the current accessibility of their workplace and whether policies are in place to restrict public access.
“The first step we can take is to think about the type of access we’re already providing in the workplace,” a presenter said during the webinar. “You probably already have policies limiting public access to your property, and these policies should already be included in your plan.”
What to do if approached by ICE
One simple tool often recommended is the ACLU Red Card, a small bilingual card that explains your rights if stopped by immigration or police.
Red cards, a resource distributed by Cultiva Central Valley and other organizations, outline immigrants’ constitutional rights when facing immigration authorities. Photo courtesy of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center
People can keep it in their wallet and present it instead of answering questions, clearly stating that they choose to remain silent and want to speak to a lawyer.
Immigration defense attorney Patrick Kolasinski, who has practiced law in Modesto for over 15 years, previously told The Merced FOCUS that fear during immigration enforcement is natural. Still, misinformation can often cause more harm than the enforcement itself.
“There is so much rumor-mongering and fear causing within the community,” he said. “The community is hurting itself more than they ever could.”
Kolasinski urges undocumented residents to avoid carrying any documents that reveal immigration status, and to never offer information voluntarily.
“If immigration doesn’t know that you’re not a citizen and doesn’t know what country to send you to, don’t tell them,” he advised.
If detained, he said, individuals should ask where they are being held, request their alien registration number if applicable, and contact a family member or lawyer as soon as possible.
Knowing your location and legal ID number can make a critical difference in receiving legal help quickly.
When rumors spread or people feel unsure about what’s happening in their neighborhood, local rapid response hotlines are another key resource for staying calm and informed.
Rapid response network hotlines are available throughout California and regularly monitored by trained volunteers who verify local immigration enforcement activity. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for more than 20,000 Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) and 60,000 Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) employees across the country.
“As soon as I take a report, I’m running out the door,” Blanca Ojeda, a Merced organizer with Faith In the Valley, said earlier this year.
Ojeda stressed the importance of contacting the region’s valley watch network at (509) 206-0151 to reduce fear and panic among undocumented communities.
“We don’t want people being too afraid to go out, too afraid to send their children to school, too afraid to do their shopping and go to work,” she said. “That’s what we’re trying to prevent.”
When calling your local hotline to report an ICE sighting, volunteers will ask you for pertinent information, including time of incident, location, vehicle details (such as the color, make, and license plate if available), and a description of what you witnessed.
Before you protest: What to know
Although the following guidance was initially shared with journalists by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the Committee to Protect Journalists, these tips can be applied to anyone attending a demonstration, especially in moments of heightened tension.
They recommend that protesters plan a route in advance, familiarize themselves with the area and inform a trusted person of their whereabouts.
Comfortable clothing that allows quick movement is advisable, while items that can be used to identify or grab someone, such as lanyards, loose bags, or branded logos, should be avoided.
Closed-toe shoes, water and an emergency contact written on paper can help if a phone becomes unusable.
When there is a risk of violence or police confrontation, it helps to keep a hand free and stay close to familiar faces. Taking short, deliberate steps can reduce the risk of falling or getting caught in a crowd surge. Groups often link arms to avoid getting separated.
Being aware of the crowd’s energy and law enforcement’s behavior is key. Riot gear, shield lines, or projectiles are warning signs that conditions may worsen. If firearms or aggressive tactics appear, people are encouraged to look for hard cover instead of only open exits, and to avoid bottlenecks or tight spaces where movement is restricted.
If tear gas is used, reaching higher ground and fresh air can reduce exposure. It is advised not to rub the face or eyes, and to rinse with water as soon as possible.
Clothes exposed to tear gas should be washed in cold water or discarded. To limit digital tracking, many users disable biometric unlock features, such as Face ID, and instead use a passcode.
Messaging apps with end-to-end encryption, like Signal, are commonly used. Some also consider the risks of live-streaming or posting during a protest, as it can reveal locations in real-time.
Having a designated meeting point or escape route can help if people become separated from their group. For those participating in demanding change or showing support for others, staying alert and prepared is part of staying safe.