Over the past week, hundreds of residents have gathered in various parts of San Diego County to protest recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
On Sunday, February 2, 2025, significant demonstrations took place in downtown San Diego and Escondido. In downtown San Diego, protesters convened to voice their opposition to the increased ICE activities in the region. Participants carried signs with messages such as “No ICE in our city” and “Immigrants are welcome here,” emphasizing their support for the immigrant community.
In Escondido, dozens of individuals gathered near Escondido Boulevard and Washington Avenue to protest against deportations. Community members expressed their concerns about the impact of ICE raids on local families and the broader community. One resident, Rubi Salazar, shared her personal experience, stating, “I saw all this injustice, I saw my neighbor getting picked up. He was on his way to work and there were like ten, 11 people just waiting for him. It was so sad, he was on his way to work.”
Earlier in the week, on Friday, January 31, hundreds of protesters gathered on Highland Avenue in National City to denounce the administration’s immigration policies and recent ICE raids. The demonstration, organized through social media, drew a diverse crowd, including community members, teachers, and students. Chants of “Si se puede” (Yes we can) echoed through the streets, symbolizing solidarity with the immigrant community.
These protests are part of a larger movement across the United States, where communities are rallying against increased immigration enforcement and mass deportations. In Los Angeles, a significant protest began at Olvera Street in downtown, with participants marching to and temporarily occupying portions of the Hollywood Freeway, leading to traffic disruptions in the area.
Local immigration advocates have expressed concerns about potential changes in enforcement policies under the current administration, including the possibility of raids in previously protected areas like schools and churches. With the future unclear for undocumented migrants in San Diego County and the nation as a whole under the Trump Administration, these communities are banding together to express their views on the matter.
