Fears Grow in Santa Ana as ICE Activity Rises Across Orange County

Dive Right Into

Key Takeaways

• ICE conducted 8,276 arrests nationally in January 2025, fueling heightened fears in Santa Ana’s immigrant community.
• Santa Ana City Council debated strengthening its 2017 sanctuary law on February 18, 2025, highlighting vulnerabilities amid federal enforcement.
• Orange County Rapid Response Network’s hotline, 714-881-1558, provides resources to immigrants reporting ICE activities and seeking legal aid.

Santa Ana, a sanctuary city in Orange County, California, is facing heightened fears among its immigrant population as reports of increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity surface throughout the region. With President Trump back in office and vowing to carry out what he describes as one of the most extensive deportation operations in U.S. history, Santa Ana’s sanctuary city protections are being put to a significant test. The last time Santa Ana faced such pressure was during his previous administration, but this time, the stakes feel even higher for many in the community.

On February 18, 2025, the Santa Ana City Council held a vibrant debate about how to strengthen the city’s sanctuary city law. First established in 2017, this law was intended to shield immigrant residents by limiting local cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Councilwoman Jessie Lopez proposed reconvening the Sanctuary Policy Advisory Group, a body that has not met since 2020. The goal is to explore new strategies and policies to reinforce protections and reassure the city’s immigrant residents. Her proposal reflects the urgency felt across the city.

Fears Grow in Santa Ana as ICE Activity Rises Across Orange County

Santa Ana, as the only sanctuary city in Orange County, plays a crucial role for its immigrant population. With a community of over 310,000 residents, the city is exceptionally diverse. According to data from the U.S. Census, 77% of residents identify as Latino, 12% as Asian, and 9% as white. Furthermore, an estimated 41% of Santa Ana’s population is foreign-born. While the exact number of undocumented residents in the city is unknown, the Migration Policy Institute estimates that Orange County is home to around 236,000 undocumented individuals. These demographic factors highlight why immigration enforcement is such a pressing issue in this area.

Carlos Perea, executive director of the Harbor Institute for Immigrant and Economic Justice, captured the mood of the moment succinctly. “This is our second rodeo with the Trump administration,” he remarked. “It’s scary for residents.” His words reflect the broader fears spreading throughout Santa Ana and other parts of Orange County. Those fears have been worsened by reports of ICE sightings and arrests in neighboring cities like Fullerton. In one widely discussed case, a couple from Fullerton was deported to Mexico, leaving their three children behind. Stories like these highlight the human cost of stepped-up enforcement.

Community organizations and advocacy groups have stepped up in response to the rising concerns. The Orange County Rapid Response Network (OCRRN) has established a hotline at 714-881-1558 that community members can call to report ICE sightings or interactions. OCRRN works with several partners, including the ACLU, the Public Law Center, Resilience OC, and the UCI School of Law, to document immigration issues, shine a light on questionable enforcement practices, and connect affected families with available legal resources. These efforts are aimed at building a safety net for immigrants who feel increasingly vulnerable.

Educational institutions have also joined the effort to address community fears. For example, California State University, Fullerton, has published guidelines advising students and employees on their rights if approached by ICE officers. They have emphasized that the university does not share any individual’s immigration status unless legally obligated. Local school districts are similarly stepping up. Dr. Robert Pletka, superintendent of the Fullerton School District, has reassured families by clarifying that the district does not collect sensitive information such as social security numbers. He also emphasized that schools must remain safe and non-threatening places for all children, regardless of their immigration status.

Steve McLaughlin, superintendent of Fullerton Joint Union High School District, echoed this message, stating that all children in California have a guaranteed right to a free public education. His organization is working to ensure students and families feel supported amidst rapidly shifting immigration policies. His and other education leaders’ efforts are critical, as fears of deportation can spill over into everyday life, impacting children’s attendance and academic focus.

Concerns over immigration enforcement extend beyond Santa Ana’s Latino population. Asian immigrant communities across the region are also bracing for potential ICE raids. In neighboring Los Angeles County, which includes parts of Orange County, community groups are hosting “Know Your Rights” workshops in languages such as Chinese, Hindi, Bangla, and Punjabi. The goal is clear: ensure that immigrants from all backgrounds understand their constitutional protections and are prepared if confronted by immigration officers.

Recent incidents across California illustrate the broad scope of ICE’s actions under the current administration. Federal officials initially claimed their focus would be on detaining individuals who pose threats to public safety or national security. However, the reality on the ground seems far different. Stories have emerged of agricultural workers being detained, parents deported while taking their children to school, and even teenagers targeted while seeking jobs to support their families. These events suggest that ICE activities are affecting everyday workers, parents, and students—people whose lives contribute to the economy and culture of their communities.

One heartbreaking example comes from Echo Park, Los Angeles. Loreal Duran recounted how her husband, Giovanni, was detained by ICE agents in their home while their young children were getting ready for school. Giovanni, who arrived in the U.S. from El Salvador at the age of two, now faces the possibility of deportation to a country he barely remembers. Their seven-year-old son has needed therapy since witnessing his father’s arrest. This case demonstrates the deep pain that enforcement actions can bring to families who have built their lives in the United States.

Amid these troubling developments, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation allocating $25 million for legal support to immigrants facing deportation. This funding will ensure that individuals have access to representation in court, providing them with a fighting chance to stay in the country. This move reflects the state’s ongoing opposition to federal immigration policies, especially in sanctuary cities like Santa Ana, where fears run high.

According to ICE, the agency carried out 8,276 arrests nationwide within a single ten-day period in January 2025. While regional-specific numbers for California have not been released, reports from advocates and residents suggest a dramatic uptick in activity across the state. Officials continue to describe their operations as “intelligence-driven,” but local accounts paint a different picture. Immigrants and community leaders say that enforcement tactics appear widespread and indiscriminate. This disconnect has deepened tensions between federal immigration agencies and cities like Santa Ana, which strive to uphold sanctuary policies.

As the crisis unfolds, Santa Ana officials are standing firm, signaling their intent to review and strengthen sanctuary protocols. The Sanctuary Policy Advisory Group, if reconvened, will lead the effort to assess the success of the current protections and suggest further improvements. Other cities may look to Santa Ana as a model for balancing local resistance to federal actions while protecting residents.

The days ahead will be crucial for Santa Ana and similar communities across California. With federal policies in flux, local governments, advocacy organizations, and residents will need to stand together to protect immigrant families. Many view Santa Ana’s renewed sanctuary efforts as part of a broader response to safeguard vulnerable populations statewide. For immigrants, the combination of legal services, community support, and public solidarity remains the best line of defense as enforcement actions continue to rise.

For additional resources and official guidelines related to immigration rights or legal processes, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides a helpful starting point at USCIS Official Website. To learn more about the latest policy shifts and enforcement trends, reports from VisaVerge.com offer clear and reliable insights specifically tailored to people navigating these pressing issues.

Learn Today

Sanctuary City → A municipality with policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to protect undocumented immigrants.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → A U.S. agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, including detaining and deporting undocumented individuals.
Deportation → The official removal of a non-citizen from a country for violating immigration laws or related regulations.
Foreign-born → Individuals residing in a country who were born in another country.
Know Your Rights Workshops → Educational sessions teaching immigrants their legal rights when interacting with immigration enforcement authorities like ICE.

This Article in a Nutshell

Santa Ana, Orange County’s only sanctuary city, faces renewed fears as ICE activity intensifies under Trump’s administration. Amid rising deportations, local officials and community groups rally to strengthen protections. From hotline support to “Know Your Rights” workshops, efforts aim to defend immigrant families, showcasing resilience and unity in the face of uncertainty.
— By VisaVerge.com