In South Gate, California, tensions have escalated as local residents gather to witness a series of immigration enforcement actions that have swept through Los Angeles County in recent days.
Among those drawn to the scene was Giovanni Garcia, a 28-year-old Mexican American U.S. citizen, who, along with friends, spent hours searching for federal agents involved in immigration raids.
Powered by snacks from a nearby Northgate Market and a large Mexican flag flying from his SUV, Garcia has dedicated the past six days to tracking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) activity in South Los Angeles’s immigrant-heavy neighborhoods.
Despite receiving alerts through social media, his efforts have largely yielded little success, as immigration enforcement actions are often swift and secretive.
“I’ve been doing this for six days. It sucks because I get these alerts and go, but I never make it in time,” Garcia lamented, echoing sentiments felt by many in the community.
Social media platforms like Instagram, Citizen, and Nextdoor have contributed to a flurry of user-generated information that attempts to keep residents informed of potential ICE activities.
However, the overwhelming volume of unverified reports can lead to confusion and frustration.
In recent days, growing anger has surged among community members in response to viral videos depicting aggressive ICE apprehensions.
As Garcia and others continue to monitor the situation, they are met with regular reports of ICE raids targeting vulnerable individuals in various settings, from parks to grocery stores.
On a recent Thursday afternoon, Garcia received another alert about ICE agents in South Gate.
Despite hurrying to the scene, he and his crew arrived too late to witness the apprehension of a local flower seller who had become a familiar presence in the neighborhood.
He noted the raids feel different now, stating that the focus seems less about targeting criminals and more about targeting Hispanics.
As the days pass, reports continue to emerge of individuals being detained for no clear reason.
Community members have reported seeing the agencies pick people from diverse crowds, leaving many feeling anxious and powerless.
One local resident, Jasmyn Vasillio, expressed her concerns after hearing about various incidents, including the apprehension of the flower seller.
“I knew that flower guy is always there, so I drove right over,” she shared, anger evident in her voice.
Another young man, a 20-year-old Latino who wished to remain anonymous, has made it his mission to spread awareness about the ongoing raids.
“I’m worried about other people. It’s been heartbreaking,” he said while live streaming from a location where agents had recently been spotted.
He empathized with families being torn apart by immigration enforcement, calling it tragic that individuals come to America in pursuit of a dream only to be subjected to such fears.
As the situation deepens, teenagers Emmanuel Segura and Jessy Villa organized a protest to voice their concerns regarding the ongoing ICE raids in their community.
On Thursday, they gathered with more than 30 protesters at the bustling intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Firestone Boulevard, brandishing flags and signs condemning ICE activities.
Segura voiced the fear felt in their community: “They’re taking anyone at this point. I just saw that ICE went to a car wash and took two people. And those are hard-working people — they are not criminals,” he highlighted.
Villa, who described the fear gripping the children in his neighborhood, pointed out how many are hesitant to go to school, fearing potential family separation.
“The streets are empty. Nobody wants to come outside… especially kids who migrated here,” he said.
Meanwhile, business owners are also feeling the repercussions of the heightened enforcement activities.
In Vernon, Manolo, the owner of a candle-making business, reflected on how the fear surrounding the raids has impacted his operations.
With reports of previous raids in neighboring businesses, he noted that orders had significantly dropped, resulting in severe financial stress.
“Everybody’s worried about it,” Manolo shared, acknowledging that the ongoing ICE presence has likely contributed to the absence of business inquiries.
“I might have to shut down my business,” he warned, emphasizing the broader implications of the crackdowns.
He expressed concern about the trauma inflicted on those apprehended, questioning the purpose and effectiveness of such enforcement tactics.
The sense of anxiety and unrest is palpable among South L.A. residents as they navigate an increasingly precarious atmosphere, which they believe threatens not only their community but their way of life.
As protests against ICE actions continue, the individuals in South Gate remains committed to challenging what they see as a systemic issue affecting their friends, family, and neighbors.
Amid echoes of chants and growing gatherings, the battle against federal immigration enforcement unfolds against a backdrop of fear and resilience.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-06-14/tracking-ice-across-los-angles-county
