ICE to Intensify Immigration Raids in These Cities

• ICE Increases Immigration Raids
• Sanctuary Cities Under Threat
• Churches Offer Community Support

Tension in immigrant communities is rising after federal authorities confirmed the detention of more than 5,000 people in Southern California.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that it will further intensify its operations, extending raids to other U.S. cities.

In an exclusive interview with Univision 34, Gregory Bovino, Chief Patrol Agent of the El Centro Sector, warned that what happened in Los Angeles is only the beginning of a broader campaign.

Activists and residents noted that immigrants are changing their daily routines out of fear of being detained at their workplaces or in public spaces.

ICE Immigration Raids Increase in California

🚨 Immigration operations to be reinforced in Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Portland, according to Tom Homan. pic.twitter.com/G3OtIWBJJy

— Benjamín Zamora (@bzamoratv) August 29, 2025

Vanessa Aramayo, of the Alliance for Community Improvement, explained that many families decide day by day whether to leave their homes depending on police activity in their neighborhoods.

The outlook is complicated because, according to a released report, ICE is preparing new operations in cities recognized as sanctuaries.

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Cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Portland, and Seattle are on the list of immigration authorities as priority targets.

Since President Donald Trump took office, more than 200,000 immigrants have been deported nationwide, and the numbers could rise with this new strategy.

Community Preparedness and Church Support

Pro-immigrant activists fear that federal pressure will directly impact communities dependent on local support services and thousands of undocumented workers.

Civil organizations warn that the threat is not limited to California but extends to states with high concentrations of immigrant populations.

In response to the fear, various organizations are advising immigrant families to adopt immediate protection measures.

Among the recommendations are designating a neighbor to pick up children in case of detention, leaving instructions with schools, and memorizing phone numbers of trusted relatives.

Organizations Urge Preparation

Aramayo emphasized that small steps in preparation to ICE raids can make a difference in critical situations, according to Univision.

At the same time, religious institutions have strengthened their humanitarian efforts amid the uncertainty.

Archbishop José Gómez of Los Angeles told Univision 34 that parishes are open to provide assistance to those in need.

The support includes financial aid, food distribution, and legal accompaniment, with the goal of preventing entire families from being left unprotected.

This assistance seeks to give relief to communities hit by the raids and to remind them that they are not alone in the midst of the immigration crisis.