In recent weeks, Jose Ng has been actively visiting storefronts in Chinatown, engaging with the community about their rights in the event of federal immigration agency interactions.
As part of his role at the local nonprofit Chinese for Affirmative Action, Ng has been handing out information and hosting workshops aimed at equipping residents with knowledge about what to do if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents show up at their doors.
Until now, these sessions felt largely precautionary.
However, recent news has shifted this perception as the threat of immigration actions feels increasingly real.
“People haven’t really thought about, ‘Oh, Chinatown might be impacted by immigration raids,’” Ng noted.
With events escalating, particularly after videos surfaced showing ICE agents raiding New York City’s Chinatown, apprehension has begun to grip the Bay Area.
The following day, more than 100 federal immigration agents were reported to be dispatched to the area, igniting concern and fear among residents.
Although President Donald Trump later announced he would call off the planned “surge” of federal agents after speaking with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, the anxiety surrounding increased immigration enforcement persists.
As a neighborhood with deep historical roots as a cultural enclave for generations of immigrants, Chinatown had taken some initial precautions but few expected to be directly targeted by federal agents.
With this assumption now shattered, community leaders are reacting to the heightened state of affairs.
“My phone has been blowing up lately,” Ng shared, explaining that he has been inundated with requests from community partners, particularly immigrant-serving organizations, seeking guidance and training on how to respond to potential immigration raids.
“The community is more motivated to get prepared right now,” he stated, adding, “Maybe this is a wake-up call.”
Since the Trump administration began, discussions among Chinatown groups have focused on the potential implications of immigration agency actions or protests, fearing that they could revive the anxiety and uncertainty already experienced amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local leaders have expressed concerns about renewed tension jeopardizing the fragile gains made toward community recovery.
In response to the alarming developments, Donald Luu, president of the San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce, acknowledged the need to prepare for the worst.
He mentioned that local organizations are ramping up their coordination in light of the possibility of increased federal agency presence in the neighborhood.
While feeling “joyful but cautious” about the cancellation of the planned federal agent surge, Luu and others remain vigilant in their efforts.
Joyce Lam, political director at the Chinese Progressive Association, noted the surfacing of fear and confusion within the community.
She explained that many of their members, even those who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, now carry their green cards when they go out to avoid potential racial profiling by federal agents.
“At first, many people thought immigration enforcement had nothing to do with them,” she remarked, sharing insights from her work in the community.
However, this perception has shifted as federal agents have conducted operations regardless of individuals’ immigration status, further contributing to a climate of fear.
Lam described the frightening reality faced by residents, stating, “They might detain you first and only release you after checking.”
Asian and Pacific Islander communities have remained on high alert concerning the risk of being targeted, highlighting the sensitive nature of immigration status discussions that have historically been avoided.
Ng discussed the complexities of the immigration system, pointing out that legal status can fluctuate based on various uncontrollable factors.
As such, many community members may feel the urge to keep their concerns private, which can lead to isolation and a lack of access to essential resources.
“I feel like people have been living in the dark,” Ng concluded.
Community leaders emphasize the importance of disseminating accurate information regarding immigration rights, which can empower residents during uncertain times.
As part of these efforts, the Public Press has recently published a multilingual resource guide aimed at noncitizens of various immigration statuses, assisting them in preparing for potential enforcement actions: https://www.sfpublicpress.org/how-to-prepare-for-immigration-enforcement
image source from：sfpublicpress
