Category: Immigration

Union registered nurses across the country (including Ventura County) hold day of action TODAY to protest ICE as one of worst public health threats

Registered nurse members of National Nurses United, the nation’s largest union and professional association of RNs, are naming federal immigration enforcement agencies as among the country’s top public health threats, and demanding through national coordinated protests on Thursday, Feb. 19 that Congress stop funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and move to abolish ICE for the health and safety of patients and communities. Nurses also blame hospital executives for failing to clearly side with nurses and immigrant patients by acting to keep ICE out of hospitals.

ICE OUT OF (U.S. 101) 805 BRIDGE BRIGADE protest in Ventura/Santa Barbara counties to be held Feb. 14

This Valentine’s Day, nine communities are gathering at local overpasses to peacefully declare their support for their immigrant neighbors, for democracy, and for the just America our country has the potential to be.

All events start at 11:00 am. Bring your signs and flags! Meet your neighbors and make new friends.

Here are the nine locations. (This post’s listed address is just for the Ventura site, as Mobilize only allows one location per post.)

805 UNCOCUFund — 2026: From Response to Resilience

As we begin 2026, I want to take a moment to reflect on how far we have come — and where we are headed.

If the past few years have taught us anything, it is this: we cannot rely on systems that were never designed to protect undocumented and mixed-status families. And yet, through collective leadership, love, and courage, our community continues to build what did not exist before.

At 805UndocuFund, we did not just respond to crisis in 2025 — we built power.

Union registered nurses across the country (including Ventura County) to hold day of action Feb. 19 to protest ICE as one of worst public health threats

Ventura

Ventura County
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93009
Location: Corner of Victoria and Telephone Ave
7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. PT

Central Coast United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — Grateful for you and the community power we’re building

As the year comes to a close, we want to pause and say thank you.

(2025) brought real challenges – and even in just the last few days, ICE has once again caused real fear and harm in our communities. Neighbors are showing up for one another with care, courage, and solidarity, reminding us that safety and resilience come from deep community organizing and connection.

This year you and your CAUSE staff, leaders, and coalition partners were able to meet this moment – showing up alongside families, tenants, farmworkers, and youth when it mattered most, while continuing to strengthen our organizing and shared values.

House Farm Workers congratulates local advocate and attorney Barbara Macri-Ortiz

VENTURA COUNTY — Nov. 15, 2025, was a rainy, dark night, especially since the power at the Four Points by Sheraton in Ventura was out. Guests arrived unaware of the power outage and ran from their cars into the hotel lobby to shelter from the rain, ready to warm up and enjoy the Ventura County Bar Association’s Awards Dinner, only to find a dark room with a small table staffed by a kind VCBA member and a tiny battery-operated light. 

Attendees did not scare away, and spirits did not fall; everyone embraced the low-lit event, as it was still a grand celebration of Barbara Macri-Ortiz, who would be honored with the Ben E. Nordman Public Service Award.

Community Alert: Escalating ICE raids across the Central Coast 805. UndocuFund issues urgent call for Community and Financial Support

CENTRAL COAST —  805UndocuFund is urgently alerting the community to a devastating escalation in immigration enforcement activity across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties over the past several days. These actions are causing profound harm to immigrant families, workers, and entire communities, with lasting consequences for public health, safety, and the regional economy.

Over the weekend alone, 805UndocuFund’s 805 Rapid Response Network alongside autonomous community patrol and defense groups SBResiste, and Carpinteria Sin Fronteras, documented 58 ICE kidnappings across the Central Coast:

• Saturday, December 27, 2025:

35 total — 33 in Santa Maria and 2 in San Luis Obispo

• Sunday, December 28, 2025:

23 total — 13 in Lompoc, 8 in Santa Maria, and 2 in Santa Barbara

• Monday, December 29, 2025, ICE continues operations in Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo, terrorizing residents, destabilizing workplaces, and leaving families in crisis.

Bilingual report — 2025: A Year in Review from People’s Self-Help Housing

As we reflect on the past year, we’ve compiled some of the top stories that highlight what we were able to accomplish together. These stories were made possible by strong partnerships and visionary investments from people like you. Thank you for your advocacy, goodwill, and generous support every step of the way! 

The 805 Marker Project – Our Community Disappeared — A community-led act of remembrance, resistance, and protection. Please see related Central Coast stories

Please see related Central Coast stories:

• Bilingual report — 805 UNCOCUFund — Help Sustain Life-Saving Community Alerts/Ayúdenos a Sostener Alertas Comunitarias que Salvan Vidas
• Escalating enforcement violence across the Central Coast underscores the critical role of community-based alert systems and rapid response networks
• SBCC’s Statement on recent (ICE) law enforcement activities on campus

CENTRAL COAST — 805UndocuFund announces the continuation of The 805 Marker Project – Our Community Disappeared, a series of public art installations across Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties that bear witness to a painful truth: our neighbors are being taken, and our communities are being torn apart.

The 805 Marker Project was born from the urgency and grief felt by 805UndocuFund volunteers and community members who refused to allow ICE kidnappings to happen in silence. Each marker is placed at the exact location where a community member was taken—transforming ordinary streets, sidewalks, and public spaces into sites of memory, truth, and collective accountability.

Bilingual report — 805 UNCOCUFund — Help Sustain Life-Saving Community Alerts/Ayúdenos a Sostener Alertas Comunitarias que Salvan Vidas

As immigration enforcement continues to escalate across the Central Coast, our community alerts have become one of the most critical tools we have to protect undocumented families. These alerts provide real-time information about ICE activity so families can take precautions, avoid harm, and connect to rapid response support when it matters most.

Since the beginning of this year, 805UndocuFund has spent $45,910.34 solely on sending alerts. On average, each alert costs approximately $600—and this amount reflects only what we pay our texting provider. It does not include staff time, verification of reports, coordination with volunteers, or follow-up support for impacted families. In December alone, we have already spent $5,779.00, underscoring how frequently these alerts are now needed.

Escalating enforcement violence across the Central Coast underscores the critical role of community-based alert systems and rapid response networks

CENTRAL COAST  — As immigration enforcement activity intensifies across the Central Coast, 805UndocuFund is raising urgent concerns about the growing normalization of aggressive enforcement tactics, the visible presence of ICE in public and private spaces, and the extraordinary courage demonstrated by community members, staff, and volunteers who continue to show up—often at personal risk—to protect immigrant families. Across the region, these individuals have stepped forward with clarity, discipline, and resolve to ensure families are not left isolated or uninformed.

Central Coast United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — Our new website is here – Built to power our movement

We’re excited to share some big news with you! Even in a year that’s brought no shortage of challenges, we’ve been working to launch a more accessible, user-friendly website – a digital home designed to help us stay connected, build grassroots power, and make sure our communities have the tools we need to know and defend our rights.

Our new site is built for you. When you have a moment, take a look around – and be sure you’re subscribed to our email list. If you’re on social media, follow us on Instagram and Facebook so you never miss an update.

Guest commentary — Central Coast Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — Buy CA for CA – We’re Standing on Business

Whether you work in the field or an office, run a small business or a kitchen, raise children or are grinding through school – your hard work fuels the 4th largest economy in the world. The California you’ve built should work for you – not billionaires and corporations.

Small businesses, workers, and families like yourself keep our state running, not the billionaires. Our wallets should support the people who treat us with respect, pay fair wages, and reinvest in our communities.

That’s why today we’re launching Buy California For California, a campaign to use our buying power to support community over cruelty.

Until the end of the year, we’re asking you to boycott businesses that profit from our pain and instead spend your hard-earned cash on the people from our neighborhoods, who really fuel our cities, care for their workers, treat customers with respect, and reinvest in their community.

First Amendment Coalition represents Buen Vecino in lawsuit for public records about high-profile immigration raids in Ventura County

SAN RAFAEL — On behalf of nonprofit community organization Buen Vecino (in Simi Valley), the First Amendment Coalition, with attorneys Gregory Pleasants and Shaffy Moeel, filed a Public Records Act lawsuit against Ventura County and its sheriff to compel disclosure of video footage showing what deputy sheriffs did at a controversial immigration enforcement operation.

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — NO-COST Webinar: Immigrant Rights in California Child Care Settings webinars on Nov. 4, 6 and 14

Immigrant Rights in California Child Care Settings – for families with children in child care and child care providers working in various California child care programs:

This training will provide:

805UndocuFund — New public art markers to honor sites of ICE Kidnappings in Thousand Oaks

THOUSAND OAKS — In a powerful act of remembrance and resistance, a series of art markers was installed in Thousand Oaks to commemorate locations where individuals were taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The installation honors the lives disrupted by these actions and the resilience of the local immigrant community, 805UndocuFund reported in a media release.

The event was held on Hampshire Road between Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Royal Oaks Drive. Community members, artists, and advocates gathered to recognize the significance of the moment and the collective effort behind the project.

No Kings Day rallies planned on Oct. 18 throughout the 805 region

No Kings Day rallies are planned throughout the Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties region on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in protest of the policies of the Trump Administration. The rallies are being organized by Indivisible and supported by a variety of organizations.

“In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings,” Indivisible stated in a variety of posts.

“Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and stronger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan—it’s the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, carried by millions in chants and on posters, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together.”

Please see links to local protests, news coverage in the region.

Local, grassroot Giving Circle reaches $100,000 in gifts to local, Latino-led or Latino-serving non-profit organizations

SANTA BARBARA — The Latino Community Foundation’s Santa Barbara Latino Giving Circle (SBLGC) awarded Immigrant Legal Defense Center and 805undocufund a total of $32,000 during their annual Grants Night this month.

“Grants Night is the culmination and celebration of our circle’s annual grant cycle,” said Teresa Alvarez, co-founder of the SBLGC. “Our group’s collective funds are gifted to non-profits that our circle members nominated, elected based on our funding priorities which were Immigr ant Rights & Legal Services Power Building. In today’s climate, we are confident that ILDC and 805 Undocufund will maximize these funds immediately.”

Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — Together we made Raising Justice possible!

Our growing base of community champions – YOU! – raised more funds than ever at our annual community celebration and fundraiser!

Raising Justice showed us what a vibrant community of movement friends can do when we come together to uplift housing justice, environmental justice, and fight for immigrant worker power.

No one can do this work alone. Each year Raising Justice plays a central role in uplifting the organizing our region deserves — and this year’s success belongs to all of us.

Whether you joined us in person or chipped from afar — whether you’re an event sponsor, donor, grassroots leaders, partner, staff, volunteer, or table host — YOU truly help make it all happen – T H A N K Y O U!

The beautiful array of community contributions we witnessed at Raising Justice are what keep our grassroots organizing strong at a time when we need it most.

With gratitude for the grassroots,

Bilingual report — 805UndocuFund Fall 2025 Newsletter

  We hope this newsletter finds you well and safe. We are pleased to share with you our latest updates on the 805UndocuFund’s efforts in taking charge of the newly operated Rapid Response Network. Previously owned by CAUSE, we have trained over 1,000 volunteers throughout the tri-county since the beginning of 2025. To date, we have almost reached our fund goal & immediately having been dispersed $478,000 to 388 families! All our successes could not have been achieved without the support from the community.

Bilingual report — Santa Paula Aims to Strengthen Community Protections Through Legal and Local Action

SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula wishes to update the community on recent City Council actions concerning immigration-related issues and federal litigation. Last month, the City issued a statement clarifying that it had not been invited to join…

Anonymous Heroes / Héroes Anónimos exhibit opening reception to be held at the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard on Sept. 12

OXNARD — … Anonymous Heroes / Héroes Anónimos highlights 29 selections from the Santa Paula Art Museum’s permanent collection, paying tribute to the resilience, creativity, and essential contributions of our farm workers. These “everyday heroes,” often unrecognized in historybooks, have shaped the cultural and economic fabric of Ventura County and beyond. Artists featured include: Carlos Almaraz, Judy Baca, Cornelis Botke, Sergio Hernandez, TonyJankowski, Xavier Montes, John Nichols, Gail Pidduck, Wihimina Puisifer, Kay B. Snodgrass, Eloy Torres, and Robert von Sternberg.

“Each image and artwork in this exhibition reminds us that behind every cultivated field and harvest lies a story of sacrifice, perseverance, and love for family,” reflects Ricardo Santana Velázquez, Consul of Mexico in Oxnard. “These are the stories of women and men who,even amid the challenges of the migratory context, continue to sow the future with their hands and unwavering spirit.”

Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) to present ‘Raising Justice’ community celebration and fundraiser in Ventura on Sept. 18

Just one week away is Raising Justice – our 19th annual community celebration and fundraiser! We want you there to celebrate our movement and support tenants, environmental justice, and immigrant workers.

LULAC — Targeted by appearance: Immigration, race and the Constitution

Click here to register and join us in this important (virtual conversation on Sept. 16).

This session will bring together leading voices in law, democracy, and civil rights to:

Examine the ruling’s implications for constitutional protections, civil liberties, and immigrant communities.
Discuss what Congress and state governments can do to protect residents, strengthen oversight, and counter discriminatory enforcement.
Explore strategies for building broad coalitions capable of defending both democracy and civil rights in the face of aggressive enforcement.

Guest commentary — Ventura County Taxpayers Association (VCTA) — Ventura County Supervisors prioritize fiscal prudence, reject costly immigration initiative

In a decisive move that prioritizes taxpayer dollars and essential services, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors rejected key elements of Item 43 on August 26, 2025. This proposal sought to allocate millions in public funds for immigration-related initiatives, including a $250,000 Immigration Legal Defense Fund, seven new positions in the Public Defender’s Office Immigrant Defense Unit at an annual cost of about $1.3 million, and up to $1.9 million over three years for a migrant education program.

El Concilio Family Services receives $75,000 surprise donation from Ventura County Credit Union in honor of VCCU 75th anniversary

CAMARILLO — El Concilio Family Services is thrilled to announce a transformational surprise gift of $75,000 from Ventura County Credit Union (VCCU). The generous donation was unveiled during VCCU’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Camarillo branch, creating a powerful moment of celebration and partnership.

“We are deeply grateful to Ventura County Credit Union for their extraordinary generosity and their belief in our mission,” said Yvonne R. Gutierrez, Executive Director of El Concilio Family Services. “With so many outstanding organizations doing important and inspiring work, it means so much that VCCU chose to invest in us. This gift will allow us to stretch our resources further, expand our services, and bring even more support and hope to the communities we serve.”

Bilingual report — Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project — Wine Country Convening on Aug. 30 for Farmworker Justice

LOS OLIVOS — This Labor Day weekend, community members, in solidarity with farmworkers, will flood the streets of Los Olivos in a unified and powerful march to demand justice, dignity, and most of all, a living wage for farmworkers. Farmworkers are the backbone of Santa Barbara County’s wine industry, fueling Santa Barbara County’s economy once again not only through agricultural production but through lucrative wine tasting and tourism. Yet, they continue to face low wages, unsafe working conditions, and the constant threat of detention and deportation. Earlier this year,  Santa Barbara County Supervisors voted to raise their own salaries, boldly maintaining that hard work deserves higher pay. We agree. The time is now. A living wage for farmworkers today.

Central Coast Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — When tenants organize, we win stronger protections!

We know it’s hard right now. The federal government is harming our communities in so many ways. Housing costs are out of control, immigrant families are still under attack, and it can feel like no one in power is listening.

But this is exactly why we organize.

Organized immigrant tenants and workers are more important than ever. Unethical landlords and bosses can exploit the fear caused by ICE raids to pad their profits, hoping no one will speak out. But when we unite, we build trust, leadership, and courage – we win transformational change.

Especially in times like these, we have to celebrate our wins. This year across the Central Coast, tenants organizing with CAUSE have won historic victories!

Bilingual report — Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) — Exciting Update on Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund (First round funding reaching families through MICOP, Westminster Free Clinic, 805 UndocuFund and Friends of Fieldworkers)

Dear Ventura County Community Foundation Family,

There’s a beautiful word from Southern Africa—Ubuntu—that captures the heart of what we are doing together through the Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund. Ubuntu means “I am because we are.” It reminds us that our lives are deeply connected, our humanity bound together. As Archbishop Desmond Tutu said:

“My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.”

Over the past three weeks, that spirit of Ubuntu has come alive in Ventura County. More than 100 households have already contributed over $136,000 (including $20,000 in pledges). Each gift is a powerful reminder that when one family struggles, the whole community feels it—and when one family is lifted up, we all rise.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Office of Education — Back to School Message, Logo Contest, Constitution Day, and more…

As the 2025–2026 school year gets underway, I want to extend a heartfelt welcome to every student and family in Ventura County. This is an exciting time for students to reunite with friends, meet new teachers, and pursue fresh opportunities for growth and learning. But for many families, this year begins not only with hope, but with anxiety and fear.

Our message to all families is simple: We are ready for you. We welcome you. We stand with you. Our staff are trained to protect your children and connect your family to critical resources.

Bilingual commentary — The German Roots of Oxnard

Every city has its stories to tell, and Oxnard certainly has its share. When we think of Oxnard, at least here in this part of California, we might reflexively think of the Mexican, Chinese and Japanese immigrants who built the agricultural backbone of this region. Without their sweat, tears and blood, we would not be the agricultural powerhouse that we are today.

Bilingual report — City of Santa Paula clarifies status on ACLU lawsuit participation) challenging the federal government’s immigration enforcement activities)

… To clarify, the City of Santa Paula was not invited to participate in the lawsuit. The most recent group of cities to join was added on August 8, 2025, and Santa Paula was not among them. The City is not privy to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s litigation strategy or procedural decisions.

We recognize that this is an important issue for many in our community, and Council has received messages from residents urging the City to join the lawsuit or take other related action. While the City is not a party to this case, Council continues to evaluate issues and opportunities related to protecting the rights and well-being of all Santa Paula residents.

El Concilio Family Services — 50th Anniversary Early Bird Ticket Price ~10 days left

Don’t miss your chance to secure the early bird price for a seat at our upcoming Fundraiser, celebrating our 50th Anniversary and the 35th Latino Leadership Awards! Reserve your spot today and join us for an unforgettable evening of celebration, recognition, and community. Act now—early bird pricing ends soon!

Bilingual report — VCCF — Introducing the Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund

CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF), in partnership with the County of Ventura, Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE), Economic Development Collaborative (EDC), Ventura County P-20 Council, Weingart Foundation, Ventura County Economic Development Association (VCEDA), Ventura County Credit Union (VCCU), League of Women Voters of Ventura County, Museum of Ventura County, Isabella Project, Social Justice Fund for Ventura County, Montecito Bank & Trust, Premier America Credit Union, County Schools Federal Credit Union, McCune Foundation and many others announced on June 28 the launch of the Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund—a united, community-wide effort to support local families and small businesses experiencing sudden hardship and disruption.

Bilingual report — Mixteco / Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) to present ‘Night in Oaxaca’ — Light of Resistance: Night of United Peoples

SANTA BARBARA — Since the start of the year, members of our indigenous community across the Central Coast, our relatives, friends, and neighbors, have been taken by ICE. The joy and vibrancy of community life were replaced by fear and silence. However, as indigenous people, we know that our simple act of existence is resistance.

At MICOP, we remain rooted in our mission to organize, support, and empower our indigenous migrant community. Night in Oaxaca will continue to honor the beauty of indigenous existence, and of our resilient communities. We are descendants of warriors, healers, and protectors. We speak the languages of the rain and the clouds. Our spirits carry the songs of the mountains and rivers, and the courage of ancestors who never surrendered, and neither will we.

Central Coast Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — When they raid, we rise

It’s been one week since our communities in Camarillo and Carpinteria were turned into war zones.

As I’m sure you know by now, heavily armed agents from ICE, CBP, DHS, and the National Guard raided workplaces and stormed through fields and neighborhoods, tearing farmworkers away from their families. They came in armored vehicles, masked and armed just like soldiers prepared for battle. They used tear gas, flash grenades, and rubber bullets on our neighbors – including pregnant women and children.

A City Councilmember was injured. A member of Congress was denied entry. A child was hit by shrapnel. A local veteran was detained for days without due process. A CSU professor was arrested. One worker was hospitalized and tragically died. 361 workers were disappeared by the armed and masked federal agents.

Bilingual report — El Concilio Family Services to hold Mobile Immigration Clinic in Santa Paula on July 24

SANTA PAULA — El Concilio Family Services will hold mobil clinic from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 24 at Puente de Vida Church, 203 S. 8th St., Santa Paula

“Let El Concilio help you stay protected and prepared! Our Mobile Immigration Clinic offers on-site assistance with:

Resident Card Renewal Applications (Form I-90
Application submission support
Bilingual staff ready to help (English/Spanish)

County of Santa Barbara July 15 Board of Supervisors added item — Discussion on Recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Activities in Santa Barbara County

Summary: 

The Board will discuss recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Santa Barbara County and hear from the public. Specifically, the Board will review federal enforcement actions that took place near Carpinteria on July 10, 2025, and in Santa Maria in early June. The discussion will include the community impact of these actions and any Board direction on this item.