Statement From Immigrants Rising on Immigration Enforcement Activity & Escalations in the Bay Area
October 31, 2025 (Los Angeles) — In the past week, the San Francisco Bay Area has been the latest community targeted by the federal administration. Like we saw in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Chicago, Portland, and beyond, the recent militarization against the Bay Area reflects this administration’s pattern of cruel and inhumane treatment of immigrants and the communities that welcome them. Though the federal administration called off an immigration enforcement operation last Thursday, the presence of federal immigration vehicles and agents in San Francisco, neighboring cities, as well as nearby Central Valley cities, threatened the lives of every resident in the region, especially as the administration’s immigration enforcement approach has only grown more despicable after the Supreme Court’s decision in September that has allowed federal agents to continue their blanketed discriminatory tactics.
The threats and violence made against the Bay Area immigrant communities are personal for Immigrants Rising, as our organization was founded nearly twenty years ago in San Francisco. Not only is the Bay Area a longstanding home for immigrants all over the world, but it has also served as a literal and metaphorical symbol of resistance for many historically marginalized communities. Immigrants Rising stands with the residents of the entire Bay Area, the Central Valley, and all other communities across California and beyond, who continue to be targeted by the current federal administration.
It is indisputable that the actions that we are seeing by this administration are not making the United States safer, nor does the public favor them; they are fabricating truth, dividing communities, separating families and loved ones, and imprisoning people without due process (including U.S. citizens)—all while narrowing current avenues for adjustment of immigration status and arbitrarily revoking people’s protections. This past week, even after the planned operation was called off by the administration, peaceful protestors have been met with flash bangs and violence. This violent response, along with the administration’s track record of exercising power beyond the limits of the executive branch and breaking community trust, is why Bay Area residents should remain vigilant.
While the Bay Area is not the first community to be targeted by the administration’s unlawful immigration enforcement tactics, it is a stark reminder that it takes all of us to keep each other safe. We also call on all local and state officials to continue protecting immigrants, families, and communities to the fullest extent of the law and ensure that resources are readily available. We urge journalists, educators, legal advocates, and community leaders to speak truth to power and hold the federal government accountable for what is happening on our streets. Immigrants Rising continues to closely monitor the situation in the Bay Area, but we also encourage impacted community members and the individuals supporting them at the local level to refer to the following resources.
- 24/7 Immigration Raid Hotline by CHIRLA: 1-888-624-4752
- California Rapid Response Networks by CA Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC)
- North Bay Area Rapid Response Network by North Bay Organizing Project
- Know Your Rights: Immigrants’ Rights by ACLU
- Resources on subjects related to immigrant detention by the CA Collaborative for Immigrant Justice
- Activist Bail & ICE Bond Fund and additional resources by NorCal Resist
- Immigrant Resources compiled by California Work & Family Coalition members, CIPC, and Immigrants Rising
- San Francisco Immigrant Services and Resources by SF Immigration Forum
- Protest Pocket Guide by Democracy Security Project
- Mental Health Resources for Undocumented People by Immigrants Rising
- Wellness Support Groups for Undocumented Students by Immigrants Rising
- Mental Health Connector For Students in California by Immigrants Rising
The recent escalations in the Bay Area call on each of us to stand unapologetically, courageously, and boldly with our Bay Area community members and every impacted community member. Below is a list of ways that you can help protect affected Bay Area immigrant communities.
- Check in on immigrant families you know. Offer mutual aid, including delivering groceries, running errands, giving children rides to school, or offering financial support.
- Amplify updates, stories, and calls-to-action on social media and within your networks.
- Contact local and state elected officials to advance legislation, policies, and budget investments that support undocumented immigrants.
- Especially if you are a U.S. citizen, volunteer as a responder for your local Rapid Response Network.
- Donate to funds such as:
While the situation in the Bay Area continues to unfold, we must not give in to fear and isolation. Instead, let us recognize the immense solidarity within the cities and across the nation, resisting the militarization and violence exercised by this administration’s immigration system. As harmful anti-immigrant forces continue their attacks, the pro-immigrant movement only gains momentum. Please be assured that Immigrants Rising will continue fighting for every immigrant’s right to live, work, and thrive without constraint. We remain firm in our mission to empower undocumented people to achieve their educational and career goals through personal, institutional, and policy transformation.
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Founded in 2006, Immigrants Rising transforms individuals and fuels broader changes. With resources and support, undocumented young people are able to get an education, pursue careers, and build a brighter future for themselves and their community. Our collective power is helping our nation edge closer to fulfilling its ideal as a land of opportunity and access for all.
