California is no stranger to immigration’s challenges and complexities. As the nation’s most populous and diverse state, it has long been a beacon of hope and opportunity for millions of immigrants who enrich our communities, economy and culture. But today, a harsh and unforgiving federal crackdown threatens to rip apart the very fabric that binds us.

In cities across California, from Los Angeles to San Diego, Sacramento to Oakland, federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids have escalated in recent weeks with alarming intensity. Over 2,000 National Guard troops have been deployed to Los Angeles alone as protests rage and confrontations with law enforcement turn volatile. Families are terrified, neighborhoods are disrupted, and the fragile trust that immigrant communities once placed in local authorities is fraying fast.

The scenes on the ground are devastatingly familiar: armed ICE agents conducting dawn raids, unmarked vans speeding through neighborhoods, parents separated from children during school drop-offs, and entire households plunged into chaos and fear. In Paramount, LA County, protesters have rallied to oppose these aggressive tactics, but the federal response has been a show of force.

The human cost cannot be overstated. Maria, a mother of three and longtime San Diego resident, shared with me how she fears walking her children to school. Carlos, a small business owner in Sacramento, told local reporters that customers are staying away, afraid to be seen or questioned.

These are the lived realities of thousands of Californians who contribute daily to the economy and the social fabric of our state.

California’s sanctuary policies exist to protect exactly these people, ensuring that local law enforcement does not become an extension of federal immigration enforcement. But federal raids bold, militarized and public send a chilling message that undermines these protections. The silence or delayed responses from some local leaders only deepen the wound. Gov. Gavin Newsom must speak out forcefully and unequivocally against these raids. Our city mayors — Los Angeles’ Karen Bass, San Diego’s Todd Gloria, and others — must reaffirm their commitments to sanctuary principles and stand as shields, not bystanders.

This crackdown is not just about immigration enforcement, it is about dignity, justice and human rights. Legal experts have documented cases of excessive force, illegal searches and detentions of people with no criminal records. Reports of unsafe detention conditions are piling up, exacerbating despair.

And yet, amid this turmoil, Californians are rising. Protests have erupted statewide, with diverse communities united in resistance. Faith leaders, civil rights organizations, labor unions and everyday citizens are demanding accountability and humane policies. This groundswell of opposition is a testament to California’s enduring values of inclusion and compassion.

Still, protests alone are not enough. We need clear and concrete action:

• End militarized ICE raids in California neighborhoods immediately.

• Strengthen sanctuary laws with real enforcement mechanisms.

• Expand funding for legal aid and community support services to assist affected families.

Every day that these raids continue, California’s social and economic stability is at risk. Businesses lose customers, schools lose trust, and families live in constant fear.

This moment calls on all Californians to stand with immigrant communities not as passive observers but as active advocates.

Our state’s strength lies in its diversity and the courage of those who call it home, regardless of their immigration status.

Our future depends on it.

Joshua Chronicles is a San Diego-based writer and advocate focused on immigration, social justice and community resilience.