{"id":1322,"date":"2025-06-28T00:02:10","date_gmt":"2025-06-28T00:02:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.machimp.com\/?p=1322"},"modified":"2025-06-28T14:43:44","modified_gmt":"2025-06-28T14:43:44","slug":"from-wildfires-to-ice-raids-l-a-latines-keep-fighting-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.machimp.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/28\/from-wildfires-to-ice-raids-l-a-latines-keep-fighting-back\/","title":{"rendered":"From Wildfires To ICE Raids, L.A. Latines Keep Fighting Back"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Just five months ago, Mexican firefighters were rushing to Los Angeles<\/a> to keep the city\u00a0 from burning to the ground. Now, before there\u2019s even been time\u00a0 to process or heal from that trauma, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is targeting undocumented immigrants with brutal raids. Since Friday, June 6,<\/a> the organization has violently seized 330 <\/a>people. Immigrants are living in fear \u2014 of showing up at graduations, churches<\/a>, grocery stores and their places of work. This fear, of course, isn\u2019t new, but it\u2019s currently being magnified in cruel ways. It feels like there is no safe space. To make matters worse, we\u2019re seeing this play out in real time with every video, every post, and every update with social media making it impossible to avoid. The cycle doesn\u2019t just happen once, it replays and retraumatizes us each time.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Colombian therapist Cristina Castrill\u00f3n, LMFT<\/a>, says these conditions can trigger and further traumatize immigrants \u2014 many of whom have already experienced\u00a0 the trauma of leaving their homelands and families behind. Castrill\u00f3n also points out that immigrants, particularly people of color, are more prone to complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), which studies have found<\/a> can result from experiencing long-standing trauma.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen there\u2019s the social and economic adversity of being undocumented, being impacted by things like food scarcity,\u201d Castrill\u00f3n adds. \u201cThere might also be more chances for higher substance abuse.\u201d According to the therapist, there is no shortage of trauma for immigrants. \u201cThis is especially true for folks who fled their homelands due to violence \u2014 like people from Central America.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

And now, it\u2019s happening all over again.<\/p>\n

On that fateful Friday in June, entrepreneur, educator and immigrant rights organizer Sharet Garc\u00eda<\/a> witnessed one such ICE raid unfold in downtown Los Angeles\u2019 Pi\u00f1ata District, a neighborhood that\u2019s long been home to countless Latine immigrant-owned businesses over the years. She was shopping for decorations for her son\u2019s high school graduation party when she witnessed the raid take place.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cICE had just trapped all the workers inside this fashion apparel company,\u201d she tells Refinery29 Somos. \u201cI knew that we needed to record this. We couldn\u2019t stay quiet; I wanted the people to know.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Even though she\u2019s undocumented herself, Garc\u00eda \u2014 founder of UndocuProfessionals<\/a>, which serves as a safe space for undocumented students and professionals \u2014 knew she had to stay at the scene. But, more importantly, it was clear she could not do it alone. She would need to rally her community.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey lined up 30 to 40 people there,\u201d she says, adding that some of the detained workers\u2019 daughters were present. The children reassured their parents that they were in this lucha<\/em> together, and that they would never stop fighting for them. \u201cIt was really hard to see that, but we wanted to make sure that we recorded everything. And that\u2019s when everything started happening.\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly but surely, people showed up to protect the Pi\u00f1ata District workers. Ultimately, Garc\u00eda says, it became difficult for ICE to detain people because the crowd was \u201cnot allowing them to just easily leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

This solidarity isn\u2019t lost on the people of L.A., who are currently turning out in troves to protest the military occupancy in their sanctuary city. One Latine Angeleno, who requested to go only by the name of Crystal, has attended several protests in the city and can vouch\u00a0 they are not nearly as violent as certain media outlets portray.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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This fear holds a lot of people back from being in public, making it even more critical for documented citizens to stand up and fight back.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

To be clear, seeing these images \u2014 whether you are undocumented or not, whether you love someone who is undocumented or not \u2014 harms folks mentally and emotionally. And the cruel truth is:\u00a0 that\u2019s the point. \u201c[Seeing violent footage] just further creates a narrative that makes us feel alienated,\u201d says Castrill\u00f3n. \u201cThink about what that does to someone\u2019s sense of self, worth, identity and belonging.\u201d<\/p>\n

In short, this dehumanizing treatment rips apart our self-esteem and sense of security to shreds.\u00a0It\u00a0can lead to higher rates of anxiety, depression and relational issues. Some people have even left the country in what\u2019s being called \u201cself-deportation<\/a>,\u201d because they no longer feel safe in the U.S. Other people are experiencing vicarious trauma when they see their loved ones in fear or hear them talking about their trauma, she adds.<\/p>\n

But, as always, the community protesting these immoral ICE raids proves that they\u2019re not criminals; they\u2019re just trying to do what\u2019s right.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are people carrying and passing around water and snacks,\u201d says Crystal, who also notes that some folks are acting as medics, carrying first-aid kits, masks, and goggles, and treating people who have been wounded by rubber bullets. \u201cI feel like that\u2019s what\u2019s not being credited, not being shown. It\u2019s a very different experience being there than watching it.\u201d<\/p>\n

A large percentage of immigrants and folks on the front lines are Latine. But make no mistake, these ICE raids are not just a Latine or \u201craza\u201d issue. While it\u2019s true,\u00a0 Latinos account for a majority of immigrant communities, we\u2019re not the only ones impacted.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data<\/a>: \u201cA third of all Latinos in the United States \u2014 an estimated 21.4 million people \u2014 are immigrants.\u201d That\u2019s roughly 45% of the nearly 50 million immigrants currently living\u00a0 in the U.S. The next largest group? Immigrants\u00a0 from Asian countries, who make up 28% of the U.S. immigrant population. This doesn\u2019t account for immigrants from African, Caribbean, Middle Eastern or European nations. And just for context: less than 10 miles from the Pi\u00f1ata District, in Mid-City, you\u2019ll find L.A.\u2019s Little Ethiopia. <\/p>\n

Each and every single immigrant is equally important in this struggle. Every immigrant\u2019s story matters. Every community is part of this fight.<\/p>\n

Edwin Sotos<\/a>, an immigrant rights and community organizer knows this firsthand. He says\u00a0these are the people who have long been on the front lines, often undocumented themselves. But even those committed to the work are feeling the weight. Castrill\u00f3n says, many in the movement\u00a0 may have experienced or are currently experiencing compassion fatigue.<\/p>\n

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Despite attempts to erase or dehumanize immigrants, our communities continue to show up, for each other, for justice and for joy. That in itself is a powerful act. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

\u201cPeople are really feeling burned out, fatigued, unable to continue, or needing moments to themselves to pull away from the work,\u201d she says, adding that keeping up your \u201cself-care is necessary, because it is becoming so pervasive, there is no break \u2014 especially for people on the front lines.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sotos agrees, pointing out that people in the immigrants\u2019 rights movement have always felt a lot of feelings. \u201cFor one, I feel very inspired to see how people are becoming very aware of how ICE has been treating our communities and how violent and terrorizing they are towards our community, and that the community is standing up against them and fighting back,\u201d he says. \u201cI feel that if we had this type of awareness 10 to 15 years ago, a lot of our work and advocacy would be very different.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sotos also feels upset and concerned with how some influencers and content creators have responded. \u201cThey either center themselves and erase immigrant voices or overlook and ignore the work that we have done as immigrants and documented people to get [to] where we are right now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Overall, though, Sotos attests\u00a0this time is more intense. \u201cI\u2019m definitely concerned at how different and how much more violent this round of ICE raids are in comparison to what we have seen in past years. I do think that these violent attacks from ICE, and the deployment of armed forces, are going to have a long-term effect on our community.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is why it bears repeating that the community of people advocating for immigrant rights isn\u2019t exclusively Latine.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn our fight for immigrant rights, we have to include [folks from other countries], too,\u201d Soto says. \u201cAt some point, they are struggling with the same issues. Immigrants come [to the U.S.] from almost every country in the world, and from different races and different ethnicities, cultural and racial backgrounds.\u201d<\/p>\n

To that end, Sotos spotlights a few resources for undocumented people who may not identify as Latine:<\/p>\n

The UndocuBlack Network<\/strong><\/a>: <\/strong>Black immigrants who organize communities and advocate for policy changes<\/p>\n

National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC)<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong> Korean and Asian American immigrants fighting for social, economic, and racial justice<\/p>\n

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong> Civil rights advocates for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community<\/p>\n

Even so, it\u2019s irrefutable that the effect of these brutal raids are hitting L.A.\u2019s Latine communities hard.\u00a0On TikTok and Instagram, the fear is loud and visible with videos showing just how deeply these raids are shaking us. One viral clip shows an MSNBC reporter<\/a> standing in an empty field \u2014 farmland usually tended by immigrant workers, now deserted due to ICE threats. Another video shows a KTLA anchor<\/a> reporting on an\u00a0ICE raid at a local\u00a0 elementary school.<\/p>\n

People are scared. And the same conversations aren\u2019t just happening online, they\u2019re happening in person, over WhatsApp and on the phone. Garc\u00eda says she has received an increased number of calls from undocumented individuals admitting they want to protest and show their support but are worried about their safety, especially being in close proximity to la migra.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome people are angry about what they\u2019re seeing, but there\u2019s definitely a lot of fear in the community,\u201d says Garc\u00eda. This fear holds a lot of people back from being in public, making it even more critical for documented citizens to stand up and fight back.<\/p>\n

Doris Anah\u00ed Mu\u00f1oz<\/a>, an artist and activist who previously endured family separation at the hands of ICE, says there are several things she wished she knew during one of the darkest moments of her life. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe hardest part of a path to citizenship is how costly it is,\u201d says Mu\u00f1oz. \u201cI wish I had known about these kinds of organizations back then. For people like my parents, they didn\u2019t even know support like this existed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thankfully, community support is growing, as a result there are more resources available including\u00a0 free legal services across L.A., offering help to undocumented folks in need. Some of these organizations include:<\/p>\n

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)<\/strong><\/a>: <\/strong>Diverse immigrant families and individuals whose mission is to achieve a just society fully inclusive of immigrants<\/p>\n

UCLA Civil Rights Project<\/strong><\/a>: <\/strong>Legal services networks, nonprofits and private practice attorneys who can assist undocumented residents needing legal assistance<\/p>\n

Chicas y Cafecito Community Resources Los Angeles<\/strong><\/a>: <\/strong>A round-up of helpful phone numbers and legal services for immigrants<\/p>\n

At the end of the day, mental health experts and community organizers also acknowledge and agree: this work is heavy and it is important for the people in this fight to take care of themselves and each other. One of the best and most important ways to do just that is to find moments of joy. <\/p>\n

\u201cOur true community efforts are the most important in this. We really need each other right now to keep this movement going,\u201d says Mu\u00f1oz. Naturally, people are<\/em> doing this \u2014 dancing in the street<\/a>, hyping each other up and chanting<\/a> like the ancestors are watching.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sotos admits, it can be difficult for organizers and community advocates to center their own emotions and well-being since their primary focus is fighting injustice. \u201cBut I will say that I have been sleeping and resting more because I\u2019ve been very tired. Also, being in community spaces and connecting and checking in on my friends and my family has been very helpful,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re validating each other, sharing that we are there together and that we\u2019re going to defend and protect the community. But we\u2019re also going to be there to connect, uplift each other and hear each other out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Castrill\u00f3n encourages folks to have self-care practices on their own time, too. \u201cSome people cannot step away from it like other folks can. Not everyone gets the privilege,\u201d she says. But even if you only have five minutes, try to use those to check in with your body. Ask yourself: \u201cDid I eat well today? Am I nourishing myself? Am I sleeping enough and getting enough rest? Am I getting support?\u2019\u201d she suggests. \u201cCry, be held, be seen. Go to therapy, support groups or healing circles.\u201d These are all warm and necessary reminders that we are not alone.<\/p>\n

Sotos echoes this truth. \u201cI feel sometimes we are so into wanting to protect our community and advocate, and we feel like we need to be strong,\u201d he says. \u201cBut sometimes, we just need someone to listen to us\u2026especially in the work that we do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite attempts to erase or dehumanize immigrants, our communities continue to show up, for each other, for justice and for joy. That in itself is a powerful act. As Sotos puts it: \u201cBeing openly undocumented is my most powerful tool at this point. My mere existence as an undocumented person is my most powerful resistance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Resources for undocumented people who may not identify as Latine<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The UndocuBlack Network<\/strong><\/a>: <\/strong>Black immigrants who organize communities and advocate for policy changes<\/p>\n

National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC)<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong> Korean and Asian American immigrants fighting for social, economic, and racial justice<\/p>\n

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong> Civil rights advocates for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community<\/p>\n

Self-care tips from mental health professionals<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Check in with yourself to make sure you\u2019re eating, hydrating, resting and taking care of your body<\/p>\n

Talk to friends and family to avoid the isolation that results from living and reliving trauma in person and on social media<\/p>\n

Try to take breaks from the work to find moments of joy with the people you love<\/p>\n

Find and attend an immigrants rights support group, workshop or healing circle<\/p>\n

Where to donate<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Mijente PAC<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong> Political action committee comprised of Latinx and Chicanx people who seek racial, economic, gender and climate justice<\/p>\n

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong> Diverse immigrant families and individuals whose mission is to achieve a just society fully inclusive of immigrants<\/p>\n

InnerCity Struggle Eastside Immigrant Families Mutual Aid Fund<\/strong><\/a>: <\/strong>Mutual aid distribution fund to alleviate the increased financial burdens placed on families most affected by the ongoing ICE raids<\/p>\n

La Puente Mutual Aid<\/strong><\/a>: <\/strong>East L.A. mutual aid community that supports working class people with free groceries, haircuts, and STD screenings<\/p>\n

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Just five months ago, Mexican firefighters were rushing to Los Angeles to keep the city\u00a0 from burning to the ground. Now, before there\u2019s even been time\u00a0 to process or heal from that trauma, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is targeting undocumented immigrants with brutal raids. Since Friday, June 6, the organization has violently seized…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1324,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.machimp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1322"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.machimp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.machimp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.machimp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.machimp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1322"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.machimp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1322\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1325,"href":"http:\/\/www.machimp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1322\/revisions\/1325"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.machimp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1324"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.machimp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1322"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.machimp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1322"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.machimp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1322"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}