LOS ANGELES — Immigration enforcement operations in California have created fresh challenges for community workers trying to prevent gun violence, as fear of detention keeps young people away from programs and discourages survivors from seeking medical care.
Violence intervention workers in Los Angeles and Oakland say the impact of federal immigration raids has extended beyond immigration concerns. Families have become more cautious about leaving their homes, youth activities have lost participation and outreach teams have had to rethink how they connect with residents.
For workers who depend on trust and regular contact to help prevent shootings, the changing environment has made an already difficult job even more complicated.
ICE Raids Leave Young People and Families Afraid
The immigration crackdown that began in Los Angeles in June brought federal agents into immigrant communities, including workplaces, car washes, garment factories and other public locations. The operations prompted many residents to limit their movements, with some families avoiding work, school and everyday activities.
Violet Gallegos, a youth services and gang intervention worker with Volunteers of America in South Los Angeles, said the raids affected young people who had been taking part in programs designed to help them build better futures.
According to Gallegos, some children stopped attending activities because they feared encountering immigration authorities. She said the uncertainty had also affected their hopes of continuing education and pursuing college.
The intervention worker explained that keeping young people engaged is an important part of preventing them from becoming involved in street violence. When children stop attending programs and become isolated, outreach workers lose opportunities to support them.
Gallegos said she continues to visit local parks and remain visible in the neighborhood. Her approach includes speaking directly with young people, checking on their well-being and encouraging them to stay away from guns and dangerous situations.
She also introduced journaling workshops to help participants express anger and other emotions from home when they cannot attend group sessions.
Hospital Care and Community Outreach Face New Obstacles
The effects of immigration enforcement have also been felt among survivors of gun violence in Oakland.
Guadalupe Serrano, program manager for Youth Alive’s Caught in the Crossfire initiative, said some clients became reluctant to visit hospitals for injury treatment and follow-up appointments.
The hospital-based program works with people who have survived shootings and need medical, emotional and social support. Serrano said fear surrounding immigration enforcement made some patients hesitant to begin treatment or continue care.
Some survivors needed surgery to treat their injuries and prevent infections. Delays in medical treatment created additional recovery challenges, including longer periods of physical therapy and counseling.
Serrano said people also raised concerns about seeing immigration agents near hospitals or parking areas. Although hospital trauma social workers continued to support the intervention program, the fear among patients affected the ability to build trust with new clients.
The situation also created difficulties for families seeking legal information. Some clients asked intervention workers for guidance about immigration issues, but frustration grew when the answers they received did not meet their expectations.
The experience highlights how immigration concerns can affect access to services for people already dealing with the consequences of gun violence.
Declining Park Attendance Forces Programs to Adapt
Community activities intended to keep young people safe have also suffered from lower participation.
Salvador Marquez, a community violence intervention specialist working in Los Angeles’ Harbor Gateway area, described the challenges facing Summer Night Lights, a parks program that provides evening activities, food and opportunities for local youth.
The initiative was introduced at Normandale Park in 2010 and became a popular community gathering. Young people were hired to help organize activities and distribute food, giving residents a reason to spend time together in a safe environment.
However, attendance dropped after the immigration crackdown began. Marquez said some residents were afraid to sign in or attend events because they worried about possible immigration enforcement.
With participation falling, the city reduced funding for the park program. Community workers attempted to keep activities going by organizing weekly barbecues, bringing inflatable play equipment for children and arranging other events.
Despite these efforts, attendance remained lower than before.
Marquez said the decline in violence in the area cannot be attributed to one factor alone. Immigration enforcement, the COVID-19 pandemic, police activity and community intervention work may all have played a role, but he said it was difficult to determine the exact impact of each.
He also described the challenge of responding to rumors about immigration agents. When residents report seeing unfamiliar vehicles or possible ICE activity, intervention workers must investigate the information and reassure families.
Violence Prevention Workers Rely on Trust and Resilience
For community intervention specialists, the work now involves more than preventing shootings. They are also helping families access resources, cope with fear and maintain connections with their neighborhoods.
Marquez said simple acts of support, such as visiting a family, listening to someone who has lost a loved one or helping with grocery shopping, can make a difference in rebuilding trust.
Gallegos said the experience has encouraged her to train additional community leaders so that more people can support young residents.
The workers say their communities continue to face the risks associated with gun violence, poverty and social isolation. The immigration crackdown has added another layer of uncertainty, but they remain focused on maintaining contact with the people they serve.
For violence prevention programs, the challenge is to continue reaching residents even when fear makes traditional outreach more difficult. Their work shows how public safety, healthcare access and community trust can become closely connected during periods of heightened immigration enforcement.
