Local Leaders Address Immigration Enforcement

by Dianne Anderson

Smoke bombs, flash bangs and rubber bullets filled the airwaves last week across the country, leaving communities on edge about what comes next for their own cities, neighborhoods and families.

Some say it’s time to buy a blonde wig as a safety measure.

Locally in San Bernardino, one longtime resident was shocked at what happened to Sen. Alex Padilla, who was handcuffed and shoved to the floor, for trying to question why the troops were called out.

“They did that to him. What makes us think they’re not going to do that to us?” said Rosalinda, who chose not to use her real name. She now keeps her legal papers with her at all times.

Mostly, she and her family stay in the house. The word is out not to answer the door if they don’t know who’s knocking.

“People get anxiety, not coming out. Everybody is staying home, the kids are afraid, you’re scared, you’re driving around, does this car look suspicious?  We have to keep calling my husband constantly to make sure he’s okay,” she said.

San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran said ICE and DHS have not been sharing their enforcement actions ahead of time with local agencies, government or law enforcement.

Regarding marches, protests and unrest, she said the police department is monitoring social media and other sources for any information related to unrest planned for the city.

“We have had two marches in our City this week and both remained peaceful. We are also in close contact with partner agencies such as the San Bernardino Sheriff and CHP to both share information and work to ensure any future protest remains safe, peaceful and free of damage to people or property,” she said.

As federal deportations ramp up, other concerns are on how immigrant communities in the IE can be protected, especially those who’ve lived and worked with deep ties to the area for years.

Tran said they are working closely with local state legislators, and much of the response at the state level is coming from the offices of the Governor and Attorney General.

So far, she said they received “quite a few” calls from concerned residents and businesses about enforcement actions and potential protests, which she said were more rumors than verified reports, and social media is heightening fears.

“We are referring individuals concerned about enforcement actions to local consulates and non-profits who can provide specific guidance on their rights and what to do. Our police department is monitoring social media and other sources to ensure that any protests are peaceful and orderly,” she said.

Last week, 21 State Attorneys General filed a brief in support of California’s lawsuit challenging unlawful federalization of the state’s National Guard.

“President Trump’s federalization and deployment of California’s National Guard, without the consent of California’s Governor and in clear violation of the statute on which he relies, is unlawful, unconstitutional, and undemocratic. It is also wholly inconsistent with one of our Nation’s founding principles that freedom depends on the subordination of the military to civilian authority,” AG Bonta stated on his website.

Gov. Gavin Newsom also condemned the unnecessary overreaction of the Trump Administration in calling down the military, and described Sen. Padilla’s detention as “outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful.”

He talked about how U.S. Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed and detained at a DHS press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, where Padilla, who represents California, tried to ask a question regarding federal immigration enforcement and troop deployments in the city. Widely available video footage shows Padilla clearly identified himself several times.

Senator Eloise Reyes said she is troubled by the lack of due process in the raids and detentions and the unnecessary escalation of conflict and tension in the streets.

“This is not the America I know and love, but Inland Empire communities are hearty and tenacious – and we look out for each other, especially in the immigrant communities,” she said.

She said the priority is to be a go-between for those in direct support of immigrants and workers, and ensure everyone can access clear critical information to protect themselves and their families.

Her team is working to provide reliable information about immigrant rights and IE-specific resources, and wallet-sized Know Your Rights information cards available at most local organizations, along with distribution to local churches. This week, she launched an immigration rights webpage with a complete list of IE immigration support organizations.

“My office has reached out to law enforcement officials, city leaders, and immigration rights and labor organizations to establish clear and proactive lines of communication and partnership, and to assess any resource gaps we might address. I’m also in regular contact with the Governor’s office, the Senate Democratic Caucus, and leaders across Los Angeles to remain informed and offer support where needed,” she said.

Last week, Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson released a statement regarding the rights and dignity of immigrants.

“The ongoing and abhorrent attacks against the immigrant community in my district and throughout the State of California are not only a moral failure but an attack on the very backbone of our country,” he said.

Assemblymember Jackson said that immigrants are the heart of the nation’s workforce, building cities, growing food, attending schools, and driving progress across every corner of the economy. He described the recent actions are inhumane and unnecessary, and xenophobia must be rejected with everyone standing in solidarity to help defend their rights.

Slated for this month, he is also hosting a select committee hearing as the chair of the Select Committee on Racism, Hate, and Xenophobia in Sacramento, calling out Trump’s dark attacks on immigration.

“We cannot fall for the fear-driven rhetoric that this administration pushes, and we must acknowledge the dangers of following such a narrative. I must be clear that the intent of this rhetoric is to manipulate public opinion and create division through chaos,” he said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, in response to the raids and peaceful protests, said it’s not just about the protests in L.A.

“When Donald Trump sought blanket authority to commandeer the National Guard, he made that order apply to every state in this nation. This is about all of us. This is about you. California may be first – but it clearly won’t end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next,” he said.

Other people, namely those of African descent, also may be next.

Despite only making up around 7% of the non-citizen population, the ACLU reports that Black immigrants represent over 20% of those in deportation proceedings on criminal grounds.

“Local jails and police often act as feeders for ICE, and where local ordinances bar that type of cooperation, ICE agents have been known to scour court dockets in order to make arrests inside courthouses,” ACLU said on their website.

Another recent report by the Thurgood Marshall Institute shows that Driving While Black starts the process.

“Traffic stops are often migrants’ first interaction with law enforcement and subsequently immigration enforcement,” the report said, adding, “Black migrants’ interactions with law enforcement can also have collateral consequences that researchers call “slow deportation through traffic stops.”

For more information, see:

Sen. Reyes Immigrant rights in English and Spanish, see https://sd29.senate.ca.gov/know-your-rights

Sen. Reyes Know Your Rights webinar, see https://sd29.senate.ca.gov/video/sen-reyes-know-your-rights-webinar

Thurgood Marshall Study UN Prison to Deportation Pipleline, see https://tminstituteldf.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05122025_UN-Prison-to-Deportation-Pipeline_For-TMI-Website.pdf

Asm. Dr. Jackson’s site https://a60.asmdc.org/