Immigrant groups gear up for Tuesday vote

Voters in California have one day left to cast ballots before the midterm elections.

Community organizations are working to ensure that immigration enforcement does not discourage eligible citizens from participating. Activists argue that the current administration is using heightened federal activity to intimidate immigrant communities. They believe a coordinated response is necessary to counter this strategy. The state has previously experienced similar pressures, including large scale raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the last year. Those experiences led to the formation of a network dedicated to protecting residents and documenting official conduct.

For several weeks, these groups have visited neighborhoods, churches, and community centers. They are reminding residents of their legal rights and urging U.S. citizens to vote early. This step aims to reduce the risk of suppression on election day. Jeannette Zanipatin, who directs public policy for the Los Angeles based CHIRLA, stated at a joint press conference this month that California will not be intimidated. She said the surge in raids aims to silence immigrant communities and divide neighborhoods. She added that the group rejects that agenda.

Federal immigration activity in the state has increased in recent weeks. The Department of Homeland Security has not updated official arrest statistics since August, but reports indicate a rise in operations. On October 19, the Department of Justice announced the arrest of 11 immigrants accused of election related crimes. In total, 28 people face charges in an investigation involving a state with roughly 23 million registered voters. One of the detained individuals was a 72 year old man from Belize. He was taken from his home in Commerce while wearing pajamas and moved to federal custody in downtown Los Angeles.

Earlier in October, federal agents arrested more than 100 immigrants in the Central Valley. Many were agricultural workers. Local officials told KQED that agents did not present court orders and that the detainees did not have serious criminal records or final deportation orders. In Woodland, a resident reported being struck by an ICE vehicle while filming federal activity. The Department of Homeland Security denied the account, but local police later said video footage contradicted the federal explanation.

Community groups are also monitoring polling places. The coalition Can’t Stop California has trained volunteers to observe voting centers and detect interference. They recommend voting early by mail, drop box, or in person at early voting centers. They also advise documenting any suspicious immigration activity and reporting it to networks like the Los Angeles Rapid Response Network. Martha Arévalo, executive director of CARECEN, said federal agents are not above the law. She noted that making people feel isolated and fearful is a tactic to discourage future participation. She urged residents not to let intimidation silence them.

The federal administration has repeatedly raised concerns about election irregularities, despite studies showing illegal voting is rare. In one recent case, federal officials claimed up to 16,000 people voted illegally in Nevada. A later investigation found the actual number was zero. This week, federal lawyers asked courts to stop California from counting about 20,000 ballots whose eligibility the government questioned. Judge David O. Carter rejected the request. He ruled that the government was trying to pressure state and local officials to abandon constitutionally established procedures.

Public health experts noted that during last year’s ICE raids, many families skipped medical appointments out of fear. Some schools also saw drops in student attendance. Advocacy groups say they will continue their outreach efforts until election day. They aim to promote civic participation and correct claims about a wave of illegal voting. The groups view high turnout as the best response to the current climate.