ICE raids forever changed the work of these gun violence prevention workers: ‘The panic is still there’

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.

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