Attorney Bethany Anderson updates the audience on ICE incidents in Fullerton

Friends, Jody Aguis Vallejo and Bethany Anderson, gave a dynamic update on local immigration issues showing why it matters that we all, regardless of citizenship status, should be concerned and act now while we can still make a difference and listed several actions we can take to prevent further deterioration of our constitutional rights. Hosted by the local Indivisible 45, the October 25 presentation was held at the Fullerton Community Center.

USC Professor of Sociology, American Studies & Ethnicity Jody Aguis Vallejo presented new data on immigration issues from several sources including the USC Equity Research Institute (https://dornsife.usc.edu/eri/2025/04/29/seven-facts-on-immigration-that-every-american-should-know-2025/) and even the libertarian Cato Institute (https://www.cato.org/immigration).

See the accompanying slides on this page for some of those details.

Professor Jody Vallejo points out that there is no “immigration crisis” as numbers have dwindled over the year before Trump took office

Bethany Anderson, Director of Camino Immigration Services (https://www.caminoimmigrationservices.org/) said there have been numerous incidents of ICE detaining non-criminal residents, including full citizens, in Fullerton without a warrant required by law. ICE has been escalating and targeting hospitals, churches, workplaces and even courthouses (where immigrants are going through the legal process to become documented which can take years). ICE has also attempted, unsuccessfully, to enter schools.

She said the administration, not able to find actual criminals, had redefined the definition of “criminal” to include violations like parking tickets. Daily arrest quota expanded resulted in roaming ICE patrols targeting residents by appearance, race, language or job rather than any criminal connection. A reported 22 deaths have taken place at the ICE detention facility in Santa Ana, several due to lack of medical access.

She listed several ways people can help, from accompanying immigrants to court, participating in ICE watch activities at work places, and neighborhoods, shopping for groceries, driving kids to and from school, to contacting elected officials, speaking up at council meetings, and donating to help groups.

Both Vallejo and Anderson are connected with, and praise, Fullerton’s school district officials, teachers, and board members for protecting students – and – both are connected with OC Rapid Response which offers numerous resources for immigrants affected by ICE along with partners like ACLU and others (https://ocrapidresponse.org/).

An excellent Q&A took place after the presentation.They said much more than what is written here so if you have the chance to hear these two speak – don’t miss it.

Who is Indivisible 45?
“Indivisible CA-45 is your local grassroots group dedicated to protecting democracy and advancing progressive values right here in California’s 45th Congressional District. We’re part of a nationwide movement of everyday people coming together to resist authoritarianism, hold elected officials accountable, and create real, lasting change in our communities.”
In addition to informative speaker events, the local chapter organizes a weekly peaceful protest against the current administration’s authoritarian agenda at the corner of Imperial & State College from 5pm to 6:30pm every Monday. To learn more visit https://indivisible.org/about

Camino Immigration Services
https://www.caminoimmigrationservices.org/
Phone: (657) 217-2365 Email: help@caminoimmigration.org
OC Rapid Response

OCRRN

Hotline: (714) 881-1558