California Faces Increased Immigration Raids

Trump Administration Intensifies Enforcement Efforts

Across California, a renewed focus on immigration enforcement by the **Trump** administration is sparking fear and economic instability. Garment factories, farms, and restaurants are targets, leaving families and communities reeling.

Los Angeles Garment Factory Targeted

One Friday morning in June, **Carlos** was awakened by urgent calls. He soon learned his brother, **Jose**, 35, was in chains at an Ambiance Apparel factory in downtown Los Angeles. Federal agents detained numerous people during the June 6 raid.

**Carlos** watched as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents led **Jose** and 13 other garment workers into a van. **Carlos** has not seen his brother since, but confirmed **Jose** is being held in an immigration detention center in Adelanto.

According to ICE data, the agency made more than 142,000 administrative arrests in fiscal year 2023 (ICE 2023 Report).

“We had just lost our other brother, he died. Then, for our family, losing **Jose**, it was like someone died again.”

—Carlos

Statewide Impact

From Los Angeles’ Fashion District to the San Joaquin Valley farms and a San Diego restaurant, worksite raids are occurring throughout California. These raids, despite a brief reversal in mid-June, remain a key part of the **Trump** administration’s immigration crackdown.

Economic Consequences

Though proponents say worksite raids eliminate illegal competition in the labor market, studies show they depress wages, and employers are no more prone to use E-Verify after a raid.

According to UC Davis economist **Giovanni Peri**, mass deportations reduce job opportunities for American-born workers. Many U.S. workers depend on low-wage, undocumented labor; mass deportations would raise costs.

A Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas study found that raids increase job turnover but don’t significantly change employment rates. Audits and investigations targeting employers have a greater impact than raids.

Devastating Family Impact

**Carlos** said his mother is devastated and fearful. He said many people from their Zapotec Indigenous community in Mexico were caught in the raid, causing widespread grief.

In his first term, **Trump**’s raids focused on the South and Midwest, detaining over 1,800 people, primarily at manufacturing and processing plants. Though just a fraction of the 1.5 million deportations from 2017-2021, raids aimed to create fear among undocumented immigrants.

Now, **Trump**’s focus is on California.

“There’s No Money”

Employees at Ambiance Apparel believed a raid was coming. Workers reported seeing Department of Homeland Security personnel on-site twice this year. The company reportedly told employees not to worry, but Ambiance Apparel, through its attorney, denied any advance warning or involvement.

The garment industry and agriculture are logical targets for immigration enforcement, as undocumented workers make up large portions of their workforces.

According to University of Michigan public health professor **William Lopez**, communities lack the language to describe the scale of immigration raids. After a raid, people become afraid to drive, money is scarce, and children stop attending school.

“People don’t drive, there’s no money because everyone’s paying bond, no one’s going to school anymore. The comparisons were, there was hurricanes, there was tornadoes, there was war, some people compared it to a public execution. Some people described it like the death of a grandchild.”

—William Lopez, University of Michigan public health professor

Employer Liability

In 1986, Congress outlawed knowingly hiring unauthorized workers. While false Social Security numbers are easily obtained, employers can often avoid liability with only cursory document reviews. Employers lack incentive to get stricter.

**Leticia Saucedo**, a UC Davis School of Law professor, explains that the number of fined or imprisoned employers is very low compared to the number of employees caught. Raids expose the tension between nativist groups and business interests within the Republican Party, she said.

Farmers Prepare

California farmers are wary of potential immigration raids. A Border Patrol sweep in Kern County before **Trump** took office previewed the administration’s approach. In June, agents raided Ventura County farms. Industry groups have pleaded with the administration to reconsider.

“To ensure stability for our farm families and their communities, we must act with both common sense and compassion. The focus of immigration enforcement should be on the removal of bad actors or lawbreakers, not our valuable and essential farm employees.”

—Bryan Little, California Farm Bureau policy director

**Little** said reports of ICE sightings in agricultural areas are spreading fear, interfering with food production.

**Hazel Davalos**, director of CAUSE, reported over 30 immigrants were arrested in Ventura County raids in June.

**Lisa Tate**, who manages family ranches in Ventura County, said she told her workers that no one is allowed on the farm without authorization if agents show up. She said she has never knowingly hired undocumented workers, but it is a “well-known secret” within the industry.

**Tate** said she has tried to use the guest worker visa program but it comes with costly requirements. She prefers hiring contracted workers locally.

**Tate** stated that we need an immigration program that allows for longer-term workers. She adds, until we have a solution, we shouldn’t take action because the system is built on what it is and if you start picking it apart, there’s all kinds of fallout.