10/12/2026
Southern California is facing yet another alarming escalation of immigration enforcement. This past week, local reporting and community groups throughout the Southland described arrests in neighborhoods, courthouses, workplaces, homes, and parking lots. Enforcement reports have ranged from San Diego to Santa Barbara, all consistent with reports of a 45-day enforcement surge—ICE’s so-called “Operation Safe California.”
ICE justifies the escalation as safety provisions, continuing the false rhetoric that they’re targeting violent criminals.
Don’t believe the lies: these attacks are not making anybody safer. And the majority of immigrants arrested have no criminal record.
Behind every arrest is a person, and a family whose stability can unravel in an instant. Additionally, language barriers and confusing policy changes can deepen isolation when trusted information and legal help matter most.
Across Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside, and Ventura counties, AJSOCAL stands with our Asian & Pacific Islander communities and neighboring immigrant communities similarly facing these raids. An attack on ONE of us is an attack on ALL of us. Due process and civil rights protections apply to everyone.
We know how overwhelming this moment is. We're here to help.
What you can do:
👉If you witness suspected ICE activity, contact your local rapid response network so reports can be verified, while staying safe yourself.
👉If someone you know has been detained, contact AJSOCAL’s multilingual helplines.
👉 Stay protected within your home as much as possible, and do not open the door, consenting to entries without a proper warrant – signed by a judge.
👉If you’re stopped or questioned, you have the right to remain silent and to speak with a lawyer. Don’t sign anything before you do.
👉Be prepared by making a family plan (emergency contacts, childcare and having important documents accessible) and being aware of the resources at ajsocal.org/immigration.
