by Ram Narayanan
As jarring as they’ve been, Trump’s aggressive directives, tactics and actions against immigrants — whether here legally or illegally — should surprise no one. It’s a ramped up continuation of policies from Trump’s first term (Godzilla Part 1) and something Trump campaigned on for Part 2. During Part 1 it was clear — from all the rhetoric around the border wall, “anchor babies,” crime, etc. — that Trump was going to go after Latinos primarily and brown people in general.
Since Godzilla Part 2 premiered in January 2025, what was originally positioned as an effort to pursue and deport the most violent offenders has largely been a systematic rounding up of folks who often look like “they just don’t belong here.” This might sound like hyperbole, but it’s not. Thousands of migrants and immigrants have been kidnapped from streets across the country without due process – and 70% of them have no criminal records. Among those being arrested and detained by ICE are permanent residents (Green Card holders) and U.S. citizens – many of whom have been in the U.S. for decades and include U.S. military veterans.
The abductions have escalated in recent months. They are intentional and intentionally callous — tearing families apart, disrupting lives and instilling fear in immigrant communities. ICE agents don’t reveal their faces, and though their masks are generally black, they don’t wear distinct uniforms. They travel in unmarked vehicles. They don’t present warrants, don’t answer questions from abductees or their family members, and don’t reveal where those arrested are being transported. ICE has become a paramilitary organization for Trump with practically zero accountability. In fact we still don’t know if all immigration raid participants are actually part of ICE or whether some are vigilantes, paid to arrest those suspected of being here illegally.
Last June in Los Angeles was a major turning point, as Trump called in 700 Marines and 2,000 National Guard members to quell anti-ICE protests – against the wishes of both Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass. These were large but peaceful protests that called on ICE to stop harassing, abducting, and deporting immigrants — especially those with no criminal records. In July, nearly 100 National Guard troops were called in again to conduct an intimidating military-like operation at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles. This time there was no protest going on…only about 20 kids participating in a summer day camp.
The militarization of immigration raids removes any subtlety behind Trump’s intentions. He and Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem are clearly signaling that they don’t want immigrants in this country – regardless of citizenship status. And if you are here illegally and don’t want to leave on your own, they have the ability to make sure you do leave — quickly. Ironically, the arrest and deportation procedures that Trump and Noem are using to address illegal immigration are themselves often illegal.
Coming attractions
With a massive $170 billion increase in funding for Immigration and Border Control in Trump’s Big Ugly Bill, the situation for immigrants is about to get even worse. Racial profiling of brown people (including not just Latinos, but those from the Middle East, Southeast Asia and elsewhere), regardless of their legal status, is likely to increase. We’ve recently seen ICE agents looming in the hallways of courthouses and even in the courtroom itself – something which was virtually non-existent prior to Trump 2.0. This is occurring not just in California, but also in Arizona, Texas, New York, Illinois and Maryland.
Locally, on a positive note, a large number of immigration action volunteers from IEB and other organizations are rallying to support immigrant communities during this confusing and terrifying time. There is evidence that this community pushback, beyond the protests, may be having a noticeable impact.
The work of IEB’s Immigration Action Team
Programs to assist migrants and immigrants during this particularly challenging period are spreading across the Bay Area and statewide. Many of these organizations have a long history of protecting immigrants. IEB is seeking guidance from these organizations to learn and provide support where it is most needed.
Here are some recent and upcoming programs and activities involving IEB’s Immigration Action Team (IAT).
- Since February 2025, IAT’s Direct Support Team has been coordinating with local immigrant rights groups such as Stand Together Contra Costa (STCC) and Contra Costa Immigrant Rights Alliance (CCIRA). As a result, IEB members have been actively helping to support asylum seekers who must appear before the Immigration Court in Concord.
- IEB is also participating in the Navigators Program, a collaboration with the CCIRA wherein IEB volunteers accompany immigrants to and from their courtroom hearings.
- The CCIRA has also started a new Asylum Project, with bilingual volunteers who can assist immigrants with their asylum applications and help them complete necessary paperwork as a gesture of solidarity.
- IEB volunteers are working with the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice (CCIJ), participating in the Courtroom Watch Program to show community support for immigrants in the courtroom and document instances of ICE overreach.
- IEB volunteers have also signed up to travel to Concord multiple times per week to participate in the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity’s vigils taking place outside the courthouse.
- IEB is forming a Rapid Response Network in an effort to coordinate with other Indivisible groups in the East Bay. The network would support existing frontline organizations that are led by immigrants and have a long history of working in immigrant communities.
- IEB is supporting the Alameda County Immigration Legal and Education Partnership (ACILEP), which is dedicated to protecting and empowering undocumented communities across Alameda County. ACILEP provides rapid response, legal services, and community education to ensure that undocumented individuals and their families have access to justice, dignity, and the resources they need to thrive.
- IEB volunteers from the Immigration Know Your Rights Education Team work with Friends of La Peña Immigrant Rights Committee and Faith in Action East Bay to distribute “Know Your Rights” cards to Spanish-speakers and allies at churches, farmer’s markets, the Oakland Coliseum and Home Depot locations in Berkeley, Oakland, Concord and Hayward. These “red” cards and “yellow” cards explain what to do and whom to call in the event that ICE visits your neighborhood or workplace, respectively.
- IEB has just started organizing support for Adopt a Day Labor Corner, a program being led by Street Level Health Project in Oakland and The National Day Laborer Organizing Network. We will be asking volunteers to show up consistently for shifts at Home Depot locations and elsewhere to build relationships with day workers and offer protection (you can sign up to join the team here).
- The Grandmothers Group within IEB is another initiative in the works. Many IEB volunteers are grandmothers. Their presence at the aforementioned locations would represent wisdom and compassion as they stand in solidarity with immigrants and local groups advocating for the rights of our neighbors and friends.
If you would like to volunteer with the IEB Immigration Action Team or learn more, please click here.
