Even before President Donald Trump took office for a second time, panic about his promised “mass deportations” — and raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — was already spreading throughout California.
For instance, in early January, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office served two search warrants related to retail theft. However, images of the vans used by the sheriff’s office circulated on social media, accompanied by claims that ICE was detaining people in East San José, where many immigrant families reside.
“People in the community reached out to me to ask if this was true,” noted Huy Tran, executive director of Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN), which provides legal aid and training to immigrant communities across San José and Fresno.
In California, networks of dedicated volunteers and attorneys monitor potential ICE activity around the clock. These are known as Rapid Response Networks. SIREN is part of Santa Clara County’s Rapid Response Network, which responded to reports of ICE sightings in East San José on January 26. This time, the Rapid Response Network confirmed the rumors were true: ICE agents were indeed transferring individuals who had received deportation orders.
Since the inauguration, social media posts about apparent ICE sightings in the Bay Area’s immigrant communities have surged, creating understandable concern and panic. Recently, a San Francisco middle school student reported that they were questioned by an immigration agent on a city Muni bus. In turn, SFUSD officials emailed local families warning them about the incident, despite representatives from both ICE and the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office denying any involvement.
Sorting fact from fiction can become challenging, especially in uncertain times. Experts and advocates have shared insights into current ICE operations in California and tips on how to avoid spreading misinformation about ICE raids, even if you’re acting with good intentions.
ICE, Fear, and Perception
In California, where approximately 2 million undocumented individuals reside, according to the Pew Research Center, advocates believe that the Trump administration has been weaponizing fear alongside its stricter immigration policies.
“The federal government is likely to pursue actions that gain visibility for the Trump administration,” expressed Lourdes Martínez, who leads the immigrants’ rights practice at Oakland’s Centro Legal de la Raza. “Detaining just a few individuals can ripple fear throughout the community.”
Tran from SIREN acknowledged the legitimate fear immigration operations can instill, saying, “I understand the desire to quickly share information.” However, he also noted that this fear often clouds judgment when discerning accurate information from falsehoods. He pointed out that anxiety spreads rapidly, leading people to share unverified posts.
Students and supporters of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) rally in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 12, 2019.
(Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images)
What Have ICE Arrests Looked Like in Trump’s First Days, and What Is the Focus?
During his 2024 campaign, Trump pledged to launch “the largest deportation program of criminals in the history of America.” He even promised military involvement in deportations.
In his first week back as president, Trump signed an executive order declaring “an invasion” at the southern border and eliminated a rule from the Biden era that restricted immigration officers from detaining individuals at “sensitive locations” like schools, churches, and hospitals. Additionally, ICE detentions have intensified in Chicago, with officials stating that they launched “enhanced targeted operations.”
While Trump reiterated his administration would proceed with mass deportations, appointed officials have tempered their language, focusing on individuals with criminal convictions for the time being. “If you’re in the country illegally, ICE can visit you,” said Tom Homan, designated as “border czar” by Trump. “But right now…we’re concentrating on the worst first,” specifically emphasizing “public safety threats.”
Homan noted that ICE had arrested 308 undocumented individuals with criminal convictions in just one day. For perspective, this number remains below the average daily arrests and deportations during the Obama administration.
Concerning Trump’s military involvement in deportations, the only evidence thus far points to military aircraft being used to transport detained migrants to their home countries. Troops have also arrived in San Diego, but the Pentagon clarified that these troops will not partake in law enforcement activities.
What Should I Do If I See an Online Post About ICE in the Community?
The key takeaway: If you perceive ICE activity in your neighborhood or see ICE reported nearby on social media, advocates recommend calling them instead of sharing online.
Tran from SIREN elaborated that before sharing any posts, you should reach out to your local Rapid Response Network — a coalition of volunteers, organizations, and attorneys that work together to verify ICE sightings and provide legal representation to those detained. Find the Rapid Response Network that serves your area.
It’s likely that the Rapid Response Network in your city has already checked the reported ICE sighting, meaning you can obtain firsthand information from those on the ground. Plus, you could also be alerting them to an ICE sighting that may not yet be on their radar.
The San Francisco community organization Mission Action advises against spreading unverified information, with Executive Director Laura Valdez stating that such rumors can “heighten fear and confusion.” She urged communities to rely on Rapid Response Networks to verify reports and dispense actionable updates.
For any direct witnesses of ICE activity, contacting the 24-hour San Francisco hotline at 415-200-1548 is encouraged. Locate other hotlines available in Northern California.
As a rule of thumb, be cautious of misinformation online; verify the authenticity of the organization posting apparent ICE sightings, and look for sources backing their claims. Remember that on social media platforms, a blue check mark does not guarantee reliability, especially since users can purchase them. Using Google’s reverse image search can swiftly reveal where a photo has appeared online, helping discern if what is shared is up-to-date or outdated.
How Can I Recognize an ICE Agent in Real Life or in a Video?
ICE agents may wear uniforms or gear that could mislead one into thinking they are police or probation officers, as per the American Civil Liberties Union Southern California. This can lead individuals to mistakenly allow agents entry without a warrant. In past years, San Francisco police commissioners have urged ICE to cease such practices, claiming they obstruct local law enforcement efforts.
ICE agents can also be found in civilian clothing or dark attire with bulletproof vests. Typically, police officers wear specific uniforms “with identifying insignias,” according to the ACLU SoCal.
Understanding the distinction between ICE and CBP (Customs and Border Protection) is crucial. ICE enforces immigration laws within the U.S. and oversees detention and deportation, while CBP inspects U.S. ports of entry and polices land borders. Generally, ICE and CBP require an administrative warrant to arrest someone, though they can act without one if they witness a person entering unlawfully or believe someone will flee before obtaining a warrant.
In scenarios where encounters occur at home, you have specific rights under the Fourth Amendment. If ICE or CBP agents come to your door, they must either present a judicial warrant (signed by a judge) or obtain your consent to enter — unless they claim an emergency situation exists within your residence.
If you prefer not to grant entry, remember: you do not need to open the door unless the agent presents a judicial warrant. It is recommended to ask the agent to slide the warrant under the door or hold it up for you to read through a window.
CBP officers may also display “police” prominently on their uniforms, and “U.S. Customs and Border Protection” is usually emblazoned on their sleeves or backs. It’s important to note that federal law grants CBP extra powers within a designated area that extends 100 air miles from U.S. external boundaries. Within this zone — which encompasses most coastal cities, including San Francisco — CBP agents can stop, question, and board vessels, buses, and trains for unauthorized migrants without a warrant.
Nonetheless, constitutional protections remain intact, including the right to remain silent. Immigration officers must have “reasonable suspicion” of a crime to detain you, and they cannot search you or your belongings without “probable cause”—unless you give your consent.
KQED’s Tyche Hendricks and Samantha Lim contributed to this article.
