Bay Area immigrants retreat from public places amid crackdown fears
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The recent arrival of federal agents in the Bay Area and a purported immigration crackdown has fueled widespread fear among the region's immigrants, community leaders tell Axios.
Why it matters: Though last week's anticipated deployment in San Francisco and the wider Bay Area was called off, reports about the operations had already triggered alarm — disrupting daily life and keeping residents away from public places.
State of play: Many families are skipping appointments and avoiding work, grocery stores and public events out of safety concerns — driving up demand for food and rental assistance, Gabriel Medina, executive director at La Raza Community Resource Center, told Axios.
- At the center, fewer people are picking up food in person, while calls and emails for help have surged over the past week.
- Community members are also growing more wary of law enforcement and unfamiliar vehicles, with reported sightings in the Mission fueling even more anxiety, he added.
What they're saying: "There's a lot of trepidation and hesitation because those federal agents are still in the Bay Area," he said, referring to the agents who were sent to Coast Guard Island in Alameda last week.
Between the lines: Caheri Gutierrez, director of fund development and communications at The Unity Council in Oakland, said that the council is expecting turnout at this year's Dia de los Muertos parade on Sunday to be lower.
- Some local vendors have also backed out, representing a blow to the community on what's typically the biggest sales day of the year for participating businesses, according to Gutierrez.
- The event, which draws more than 100,000 attendees annually, is one of the largest celebrations of its kind in California.
- In response to fears and safety concerns, organizers are offering free legal aid and "know your rights" trainings, boosting security with the help of local police and rolling out a safety plan.
The bottom line: "We're standing firm on the ground with our decision to move forward and to really be defiant and not let (the president) shrink us," Gutierrez said, adding that this year's theme — "Aquí Estamos y No Nos Vamos" — is meant to spark pride and solidarity.