Standing Together as Neighbors: Understanding Immigration Concerns in Our Communities
Composed by Chief Editor, Pleshette Roberton
Understanding ICE, family concerns, and the rights of people living in our communities
Across California and the nation, many families are worried about immigration laws and how they are enforced. Some fear that a loved one may be taken away. Others want to know how these laws help keep communities safe.
What Is ICE?
ICE stands for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It is a federal agency that helps enforce immigration laws.
ICE officers can arrest and hold people who may have broken immigration laws. They may also remove people from the United States.
Some people support ICE because they believe immigration laws must be followed to protect public safety.
Others worry about how ICE actions affect families, children, and neighborhoods.
Why Are Families Concerned?
When a parent is taken into custody, children may be left scared and confused.
Families may face lost income, housing problems, and stress. Some people may become afraid to go to work, school, or public places.
These concerns can affect whole communities.
A Sacramento Community Member Speaks Out
Sacramento community advocate Faye Wilson Kennedy has raised concerns about ICE.
She shared how her parents left Alabama in the 1960s to escape racism and threats from the Ku Klux Klan (KKK).
Kennedy compares today’s immigration enforcement to that painful history. This is her personal view, not an established description of ICE.
Her message asks local leaders to listen to families who feel unsafe.
Know Your Rights
Everyone in the United States has basic legal rights, no matter where they were born.
- You have the right to remain silent.
- You can ask to speak with a lawyer.
- You can ask officers to show a warrant before entering your home.
- Stay calm and do not interfere with officers.
- Make a family emergency plan.
Rules can vary by situation. An immigration lawyer can explain your rights.
Working Toward Safer Communities
Immigration remains an important issue across America.
People may disagree about immigration policies. Still, families need clear facts, fair treatment, and access to help.
Being informed helps families prepare, protect their rights, and support their neighbors.
Our communities are stronger when people stay informed, listen to one another, and treat everyone with dignity.
Sources and helpful resources
- Faye Wilson Kennedy — ICE in Our Communities: The New Ku Klux Klan (reader-submitted opinion article; full text not independently retrieved)
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — Official Website
- ACLU Northern California — Immigration Enforcement and Warrants
- California — Immigration Rights and Family Safety Information
- Resources for Parents Detained by ICE
