ICE raids forever changed the work of these gun violence prevention workers: ‘The panic is still there’
Gun violence-prevention programs are another casualty of Trump’s immigration enforcement crackdown
TL;DR
- Hundreds of federal agents conducted immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles, sweeping up immigrants at various public and private locations.
- The raids created widespread fear in immigrant communities, leading residents to avoid work, school, and essential errands.
- Violence interrupters, who work to prevent gun violence, found their methods significantly impacted by the raids.
- Violet Gallegos, a youth services worker, noted that fear caused children to avoid school and community programs, and adapted by teaching coping mechanisms like journaling at home.
- Guadalupe Serrano of Youth Alive reported a decrease in hospital visits for injury treatment and hesitancy in enrolling new patients due to fear of ICE presence.
- Salvador Marquez observed a decline in attendance at community programs like Summer Night Lights, as participants were too fearful to sign in, leading to a cut in funding.
- Intervention workers are adapting by providing more direct support, such as running errands and offering emotional comfort, to regain community trust.
- Despite the challenges, some workers noted a strange sense of unity emerging within communities as they face shared threats from immigration enforcement.