June 2026 marks a year since federal agents carried out mass immigration raids across Southern California, in particular the greater Los Angeles and Orange County areas, sparking nationwide protests. ICE agents swarmed workplaces, courthouses and residential streets, as well as parks, hardware store parking lots and other public spaces. Many of the people who were arrested and detained had no criminal record, held protected immigration status, or were working towards permanent residency.
Among many unethical practices, ICE agents used racial profiling to meet enforcement quotas, stopping U.S. citizens of Latino heritage on the street and demanding proof of citizenship. The damage reached well beyond those who were detained, leaving many families in financial distress and unsure of what would come next.
However, Southern California did not stay silent in the face of this blatant disregard of federal oversight. In the year since the raids, neighbors have organized to protect one another and what started small has grown into a network of thousands, as ABC7 relays. Volunteers patrol neighborhoods in the early morning hours to watch for and report enforcement activity, others accompany their neighbors to court hearings, hand out know-your-rights cards at local businesses and run mutual aid funds for families who have lost income.
Local immigrant rights groups and rapid response networks are actively training new volunteers. Getting involved can be as simple as learning your rights and sharing them with the people around you.
The Fight Is Far From Over
A year on, immigration enforcement has only grown more aggressive. ICE’s new acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement comes from the private prison industry, which profits directly from detention numbers that have climbed to record highs.
The pressure has moved into the courts as well. Experienced immigration judges were pushed out and replaced with newcomers who have little experience in immigration law and who are incentivized to reject claims without ever holding a hearing. Standard due process protections, such as adequate time to present evidence and proper review of testimony, are now considered moot and inefficient. The grant rate collapsed, falling from nearly half of cases in early 2024 to under five percent a year later.
The heaviest cost has fallen on children. In the administration’s first seven months alone, more than 11,000 U.S. citizen children had a parent detained. Because these children cannot legally be detained or deported alongside their parents, they are often left with neighbors, church members, or the foster care system.
Facing those odds, and the growing threat of being deported to a third country, many families have abandoned their claims rather than keep fighting. Even green cards are harder to reach now, since most applicants are expected to leave the country and apply from abroad, a wait that can separate families for months or years. When a case is denied, an appeal is often the last line of defense and the deadlines and rules around them leave little room for error as long as you are supported by an experienced immigration attorney.
Talk To An Immigration Appeals Lawyer Today
The single most important thing you can do right now is understand your rights before anything happens. You do not have to open your door unless agents have a warrant signed by a judge. You have the right to stay silent, and you have the right to speak with a trusted attorney before answering any questions. It also helps to prepare quietly in advance. Keep your important documents somewhere safe and accessible, and decide now who will care for your children if the worst case scenario happens and you are detained.
Our experienced attorneys at Reeves Immigration Law have spent decades guiding families through immigration crises. We help our clients understand their options, protect their rights and plan ahead. Our talented team works diligently to keep cases out of court, but when needed, are highly successful in trials and appeals.
Contact an immigration appeals attorney today to discuss any concerns you may have over your case.
