ICE Is HOT In Southern California’s ‘Little India’
From South Asian Network
Immigrations & Customs Enforcement (ICE) has made Artesia hot, lately. Here’s how:
Friday June 13: The word was ICE agents may be raiding the area businesses to catch the “undocumented.” Businesses on Pioneer Blvd shut their doors early around 3 pm and the street went quiet. ICE was a no show.
Saturday June 14: More than 20 ICE agents with face masks & in combat gear descended in Artesia in two vehicles; an unmarked 15-seater van and a van with ICE/DHS insignia. With no warrant they raided the Big Penny Carwash (17509 Pioneer Blvd) around 9 am and arrested five people. The manager of the car wash’s plea asking the ICE agents about the warrant and the reason for arresting his workers without even asking their names or their identification went unanswered. South Asian Network is in possession of a video documenting the mayhem that morning.
Sunday June 22: More than fifty national guard personnel in fatigue uniform showed up at Holy Family Catholic Church in Artesia, apparently to pray at the 8 am Mass. Understandably, the parishioners panicked. The priest extended them the courtesy but also called upon the Church’s Archdiocese for advice. Isaac Cuevas, Director of Immigration and Public Affairs of Life, Justice & Peace at the Archdiocese is reported to have advised the Parish’s Priest to organize a “future mass at a location more appropriate for everyone.”
Three consecutive showings of ICE and National Guard agents in Little India is not accidental. They have been raiding businesses – grocery stores, restaurants, nail salons, car washes and swap meets – that are mostly serviced by immigrants all across southern California.
Little India is generally buzzing on weekends. That is not the case now. Businesses are reporting to South Asian Network of their challenges. Both, workers and customers are staying home because of the fear for being picked up by ICE in spite of the fact that they have the documentation to live and work legally in the United States.
These increased raids and surveillance have left many community members, especially undocumented South Asians and mixed-status families, in a state of pervasive fear and confusion.
Based in Artesia, SAN is offering culturally and linguistically tailored “Know Your Rights” education and training along with legal support to those who are detained.
As a direct response to the increased presence of ICE and other federal agencies, SAN has mobilized a rapid intervention strategy that includes but not limited to Community Safety Cards (downloadable in multiple languages from www.southasiannetwork.org), in-house legal support, and Know Your Rights virtual training to faith & community leaders and business owners/operators.
“As a community-based organization serving South Asian and broader immigrant communities, SAN reaffirms its commitment in protecting and defending the rights of everyone granted under the United States constitution,” said Shakeel Syed, Executive Director of South Asian Network.
We encourage community members who have witnessed ICE activity or need support to contact us confidentially at (562) 403-0488 or by email at saninfo@southasiannetwork.org.
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Helpful Resources:
· FREE Safety Cards by South Asian Network: https://southasiannetwork.org/cce-resources/
· Rapid Response Emergency Support: LA 888-624-4752; OC 714-881-1558; Inland Empire: 909-361-4588
· Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC): https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas#item-4477
· What to do if you or a loved one gets detained:
· OC Rapid Response: https://ocrapidresponse.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/First-24-Immigration-OC.pdf
· Immigrant Justice: https://immigrantjustice.org/for-immigrants/know-your-rights/what-do-if-you-or-loved-one-detained/
· National Immigrant Justice Center: https://www.nilc.org/resources/know-your-rights-what-to-do-if-arrested-detained-immigration/
· Family Preparedness Plan: Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC): https://www.ilrc.org/sites/default/files/resources/family_preparedness_plan_v3-20170323.pdf
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California declaring itself as a “sanctuary state” was/is a bad idea to begin with, almost taunting the feds. Now the results are there for people to see. Unfortunate.
June 25, 2025