SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Fear about the deployment of federal agents to their neighborhoods is causing widespread anxiety among immigrants throughout the Bay Area. Many are now questioning everything they see.
A woman who wished to remain anonymous shared that her neighbors and friends are reporting any suspicious vehicles they encounter. “My friend in the morning, I see 4 cars for ICE, but I don’t know if it’s true or not,” she explained. She added, “Nobody comes on the street, nobody you know, it is very bad for everybody.”
On Friday, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee confirmed that federal agent operations were canceled for the entire Bay Area. However, according to local nonprofits, rumors and misinformation continue to spread rapidly throughout the community.
“There’s already a lot of fear, panic, and anxiety. When people respond to these rapid changes with inaccurate information, it just becomes hurtful,” said Madeline Hernandez, Attorney at the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area.
To address the growing concerns, numerous Bay Area nonprofits and volunteers have been actively working on the ground, reminding community members about 24/7 hotlines specific to their counties. These hotlines serve as crucial resources where residents can report any potential federal agent activity.
“These networks connect individuals to local attorneys who can help represent them or assist their families. They also deploy legal observers who are trained to verify if ICE is actually present,” Hernandez emphasized. “If ICE is present, these observers are trained to record the encounter, ensuring there are no violations of constitutional rights. Any such violations by federal agencies are carefully documented.”
According to the Migration Policy Institute, approximately 42,000 undocumented immigrants reside in San Francisco alone. Many of them face the risk of deportation, a reality that has prompted fear and reluctance to leave their homes.
In response, organizations like La Raza Centro Legal have implemented “know your rights” orientations and provided privacy notices to local businesses. “You might see these notices displayed in windows around the city,” explained Dalia Blevins, JD Case Worker for the removal defense program at La Raza Centro Legal. “They help business owners and managers understand and assert their rights within the workplace.”
To combat misinformation about unconfirmed federal actions, La Raza Centro Legal has deployed community outreach teams across San Francisco. “If you are concerned that it’s ICE presence, it’s important to document what you are seeing,” advised Blevins.
Despite these reassurances, many community members remain unsettled. “They can detain me at any time, but it hasn’t happened. I haven’t been detained,” said one San Francisco resident who preferred to stay anonymous.
The ongoing uncertainty underscores the need for accurate information and community support during these challenging times.
https://abc7news.com/post/anxiety-gripping-immigrant-communities-around-bay-area-possible-misinformation-swirls-federal-raids/18068176/