Introduction to Lockdown Life
An undocumented man from Guatemala who has leukemia postponed chemotherapy because he was afraid to go to the hospital. A Mexican grandmother packed most of her belongings into boxes, in case she is deported. A Pentecostal church in East Los Angeles has lost nearly half of its in-person membership. Across California and the U.S., immigrants are responding to the Trump administration’s unrelenting enforcement raids by going into lockdown. Activities that were once a regular or even mundane part of life — taking kids to school, buying groceries, driving — have become daunting as immigrants who lack legal authorization grapple with how to avoid arrest and deportation.
The New Normal: Digital Approximations and Isolation
To stay safe, some immigrants have swapped in-person activities with digital approximations. Others are simply shutting themselves away from society. “It’s a harmful form of racial profiling combined with the suspension of constitutional rights and due process. That’s why many families are staying at home,” said Victor Narro, a professor and project director for the UCLA Labor Center. Pastor Carlos Rincon said that about 400 people used to attend his church every week. Now, half as many attend and viewership of live-streamed services on Facebook and YouTube has increased.
(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
Fear in Places of Worship
Pastor Carlos Rincon, who leads a Pentecostal church in East Los Angeles, said that about 400 people used to attend his church every week, people with roots in Guatemala, Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras. Now, half as many attend and viewership of live-streamed services on Facebook and YouTube has increased. Some prayer groups meet on Zoom. In January, the Trump administration said immigration agents were free to make arrests in sensitive locations once considered off limits, such as hospitals, schools and churches.
Pastor Carlos Rincon says he has had to cancel a music class for children due to the raids. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
The Impact on Daily Life
A congregant in his late 20s who has leukemia postponed his chemotherapy, afraid he could be caught and deported to Guatemala. After he decided to reschedule the upcoming treatment, church leaders agreed they will take turns staying with him at the hospital. A half-day program to provide resources for landscapers and a music class for children were canceled this month after many said they were too afraid to attend. Rincon restarted the music class last week for those who could attend. On Wednesday, after neighbors told him that immigration agents had been lurking around the area, he warned families against attending a regularly scheduled in-person church service.
Community Response and Support
Volunteers at USC, UCLA, UC Irvine and UC Law San Francisco responded by establishing a free hotline to help people file motions to move their appointments online. The service was the idea of Olu Orange, a lawyer and USC political science and international relations professor who runs the Agents of Change Civil Rights Advocacy Initiative. Since the hotline (888-462-5211) went live June 15, volunteers have responded to nearly 4,000 calls and helped more than 300 people fill out the form to move their hearings online. Community coalitions are stepping in to help immigrants who can’t afford to hide. OC Rapid Response Network, for instance, raised enough funds through payment app Venmo to send 14 street vendors home.
The Economic and Health Consequences
Luz Gallegos, executive director of TODEC Legal Center in the Inland Empire, said the pandemic prepared some rural and elderly residents for the current reality because it taught people to use technology — “to go virtual.” Now they have WiFi access and know how to use Zoom. Some, though, also fear staying digitally connected. Gallegos said many people who call TODEC’s hotline say they are changing phone companies because they are afraid of being tracked by immigration agents. Others say they’re swapping cellphones for pagers. Many of the immigrants served by TODEC now leave their homes only for work, Gallegos said.
Profiles of Those Affected
One person helped by the nonprofit is Doña Chela, an undocumented 66-year-old woman who asked to be identified by her nickname. Many months ago, Doña Chela packed up her possessions after making plans to return to her hometown in Michoacan, Mexico, for the first time since she arrived in the U.S. in 1999. But in April, her brother called to say it wasn’t safe there, that cartel groups had taken over the neighborhood and were extorting residents.
Doña Chela stands by the packed luggage in her home. (Julie Leopo / For The Times)
The Role of Food Banks and Delivery Services
Glen Curado, the founder and chief executive of World Harvest Food Bank in Los Angeles, said there has been a significant drop in people coming in to pick up groceries in person. Up to 100 families visit the food bank on a weekday, down from the usual high of 150, he said. Robb Smith, who runs Alley Cat Deliveries, said he has seen requests for grocery deliveries grow by about 25%. He doesn’t ask his customers if they’re immigrants in hiding, but there are signs that people are afraid to leave their house.
1. Tito Rodriguez helps unload Robb Smith’s truck of drieg goods and groceries at a drop site on Monday in Paramount. 2. Robb Smith, left, unloads his truck with the help of Tito Rodriguez at the drop site on Monday in Paramount. 3. Robb Smith carries a box of groceries down a driveway Monday in Long Beach. He founded and runs Alley Cat Deliveries. (Luke Johnson/Los Angeles Times)
Conclusion
The situation faced by undocumented immigrants in the U.S. has become increasingly dire, with many forced to choose between their safety and their freedom. As the Trump administration continues its enforcement raids, immigrants are responding by going into lockdown, swapping in-person activities for digital approximations, and shutting themselves away from society. The consequences of this lockdown are far-reaching, affecting not only the immigrants themselves but also the communities they are a part of. It is essential for community coalitions, food banks, and delivery services to step in and provide support to those who are struggling.
FAQs
Q: What is the current situation for undocumented immigrants in the U.S.?
A: Undocumented immigrants in the U.S. are facing increasing enforcement raids, leading many to go into lockdown and avoid leaving their homes.
Q: How are immigrants responding to the enforcement raids?
A: Immigrants are responding by swapping in-person activities for digital approximations, shutting themselves away from society, and seeking support from community coalitions and food banks.
Q: What are the consequences of the lockdown for immigrants and their communities?
A: The consequences of the lockdown are far-reaching, affecting not only the immigrants themselves but also the communities they are a part of, including reduced economic activity, increased isolation, and decreased access to essential services.
Q: How can community coalitions and food banks help immigrants who are struggling?
A: Community coalitions and food banks can provide essential support to immigrants who are struggling, including food, shelter, and legal assistance.
Q: What is the role of delivery services in supporting immigrants during the lockdown?
A: Delivery services, such as grocery delivery, can help immigrants who are afraid to leave their homes, providing them with essential goods and services while minimizing their risk of exposure to enforcement agents.
