Anxiety and anger over ongoing immigration raids gripped Southern California over the weekend, igniting fears within local communities.
This unease was palpable during a raid executed by armed, masked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Saturday afternoon at the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet.
Eyewitness Howie Rezendez reported that agents arrived around 3:30 p.m., describing a large presence of approximately 50 to 80 agents with more than 30 vehicles, including three helicopters.
Witnesses noted the striking contrast to the usual vibrancy of the venue.
A concert featuring Los Cadetes de Linares, Los Dinamicos del Norte, and La Nueva Rebelión scheduled for 5:30 p.m. drew a near-empty crowd following the enforcement action.
Rezendez remarked on the sudden evacuation of the venue following the raid.
Omar Benjamin Zaldivar, another recording the events, conveyed the harrowing reality of the situation, stating that agents appeared to target anyone who looked Hispanic.
The exact number of individuals detained during the raid remains unconfirmed.
In a seemingly contrasting tone, President Donald Trump communicated on Truth Social over the weekend that he might reconsider aggressive workplace raids, acknowledging the critical role undocumented immigrants play in essential industries, particularly agriculture and hospitality.
In his message, Trump highlighted the concern from farmers and those in the hotel sector about losing valuable labor, citing it as a challenge in filling critical positions.
His comments come in stark contrast to those made by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who reaffirmed a commitment to deport all undocumented immigrants but acknowledged the potential consequences such actions could have on the food supply chain.
Critics caution that a mass deportation approach could profoundly impact food availability, particularly in California, where many agricultural jobs are filled by undocumented workers.
Antonio De Loera from the United Farm Workers emphasized that immigration enforcement in rural areas inevitably targets agricultural workers.
He pointed out that immigrants have lives beyond their workplaces, and raids in public spaces would still involve individuals who contribute significantly to farming.
According to research from UC Merced, an estimated half of California’s 255,700 farmworkers are undocumented.
Tensions in the Los Angeles area heightened during a notable soccer match at SoFi Stadium on Saturday night, where roughly 300 demonstrators gathered to express solidarity connected to the immigration situation.
Participants waved Mexican flags and displayed signs criticizing President Trump.
Esmeralda Sanchez, present to support family members affected by the immigration situation, articulated the feeling of responsibility many felt to advocate for their communities.
The atmosphere around the stadium felt subdued compared to the excitement typically surrounding such events, with fans participating in a quiet pre-game gathering.
In contrast, Jesse Murillo from Orange County perceived the event as a proclamation of defiance against government actions.
Interpersonal communication revealed widespread fear and uncertainty, as misinformation circulated on social media regarding the potential presence of ICE agents.
Jorge Gomez from Inglewood expressed his reluctance to participate in public protests due to the heightened risk from immigration enforcement.
In the face of rampant raids, many street vendors in Los Angeles are retreating from the streets as fears of arrest and deportation loom large.
In response, Ktown for All, a nonprofit based in Koreatown, has initiated a fundraiser to provide financial support to those affected, ensuring they can pay rent and meet other essential expenses while remaining safe at home.
Organizer Andreina Kniss noted that street vendors risk their safety daily, weighed down by high living costs and bills.
The initiative has already raised more than $50,000 within a week, with funds designated to help vendors cover 30 days of expenses without returning to work.
Ktown for All has focused on aiding the unhoused population in Koreatown, utilizing their community connections to reach out to vulnerable street vendors in need of support.
Kniss shared her personal connection to the cause, growing up in a family of immigrants and experiencing the fears surrounding deportation firsthand.
The nonprofit aims to sustain this campaign until the visible presence of ICE decreases in Los Angeles or financial resources run out, while also expanding their outreach beyond Koreatown to assist vendors in other neighborhoods like Echo Park and downtown L.A.
Responses from the community have been overwhelmingly supportive, reflecting the collective recognition of the difficulties faced by vulnerable immigrant populations.
A street vendor receiving support expressed the impact of the current political climate on individuals’ lives.
They conveyed feelings of fear crossing generations, calling attention to the adverse environment and significant threat posed by ongoing immigration enforcement activities.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-06-15/los-angeles-immigration-raids-continue
