A rally at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse delivered a simple, clear message to the federal government and especially ICE: Leave our families, our friends, our co-workers, our neighbors, and our community residents who are undocumented alone.
More than 200 people were on hand for the Tuesday afternoon event. Those working with the immigrant community say ICE operations in Southern California during the last few weeks have created intense fear and anxiety.
"This fear was created very strategically and cruelly by this administration. So yes, there is fear and there is panic," said Primitiva Hernandez, Executive Director of 805 Undocufund. The nonprofit was set up in the wake of the Thomas Fire and Montecito debris flow to help undocumented residents of the region impacted by the disasters, but ineligible for government aid.
It stepped up to help again during COVID-19 and now serves as a clearinghouse for reports of ICE activity, sharing information on how to respond if contacted and resources available to help.
The rally was jolted by the news that ICE and the Border Patrol had just conducted operations in Ventura County the same day.
"They tried to enter several packing facilities, and were in the field pursuing fieldworkers, and stopping people on the road on the way to work," said Maureen McGuire, CEO of the Farm Bureau of Ventura County.
ICE didn’t answer KCLU’s request for information on Tuesday’s operations in the county. However, the FBI later confirmed that operations had occurred in Ventura County and that they were involved.
McGuire said they are working to educate the local ag industry and farmworkers on how to deal with ICE agents if they show up.
"We know that when you exert your rights, you're way less likely to be taken unlawfully by ICE, and also it reduces racial profiling, which is a huge issue, and illegal under the Constitution," said McGuire.
Tuesday's rally included some people directly involved in efforts to help immigrants with the deportation issue. But, most of the participants were members of the community on hand to show support.
"I myself am not the daughter, or even the granddaughter of immigrants, but I'm a very proud Mexican-American," said Lina Garcia. "It's all about discrimination. It doesn't matter your status...how long your family's been here. If you look a certain way, you're going to be discriminated against."
It’s an emotional subject for many of those present.
"There's some sadness because of the realities our communities and our neighbors are facing. There's also a sense of anger. Why can't we come together and support our immigrant communities?" asked Eder Ganoa-Macedo. He's Executive Director of the nonprofit The Fund for Santa Barbara, which provides support for community groups working for social change.
He said there are practical ways the community can help. Some local governments around the state have set aside funds to provide legal aid and other support for undocumented immigrants dealing with ICE. He added that this hasn't happened in Santa Barbara County and that the community should push local leaders for similar commitments.
Some people at the rally admitted there are no simple answers in how to deal with the ICE crisis, or the Trump Administration in general. But, they said it starts with events like this one in Santa Barbara, with people stepping up and speaking out.
