Santa Rosa, CA – On December 9, community members, faith leaders and immigrant rights organizations gathered in Santa Rosa to demand an end to all cooperation between Sonoma County law enforcement and ICE. The rally came amid heightened fear in immigrant communities due to the renewed intensification of deportations.

At the center of the demands was Sonoma County Sheriff Eddie Engram’s continued practice of sharing jail release dates with ICE, a form of collaboration that puts immigrant families in harm’s way.

“Sheriff Engram currently shares release dates with ICE,” said Isabel López, executive director of Raíces Collective and a member of the Sonoma County Sanctuary Coalition (SCSC). “This has a devastating ripple effect because it causes immigrant communities to mistrust local law enforcement, and that makes it unsafe for everybody.”

Speakers emphasized that cooperation with ICE is not legally required. California law already restricts local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration authorities, yet advocates argue that sheriffs and counties still retain discretion, and responsibility, to fully cut ties with ICE.

Due to increased ICE enforcement and political pressure at the federal level, immigrant communities fear that local officials will expand collaboration rather than resist it. Organizers warned that without firm, public commitments to noncooperation, families remain vulnerable to detention and deportation.

“The sheriff and the county board of supervisors must stand on the side of immigrants during these times of mass deportations,” said Gabriela Hernandez, coordinator of ALMAS LIBRES and member of SCSC. “During this holiday season, they should show us that they value our families staying together, no matter our immigration status.”

Faith leaders across Sonoma County invited Sheriff Engram to attend the rally and hear directly from immigrants affected by ICE collaboration, including residents from counties with stronger sanctuary policies who spoke about the benefits of non-cooperation. The sheriff did not show. The event included music, traditional Mexican food and drink, and a Las Posadas style celebration, underscoring the connection between culture, community and resistance.

Activists from neighboring Napa County also attended the rally, stressing that solidarity must be paired with action at home. While Napa officials often point to California’s state-level protections, the city of Napa has not passed a local sanctuary ordinance of its own.

“Napa is not a sanctuary city,” said Aldo Solano of North Bay CSO, who spoke at the event. “Our officials keep saying stronger protections are ‘symbolic,’ but there’s nothing symbolic about families being torn apart. We’re demanding real sanctuary ordinances, not excuses.”

Organizers made clear that the struggle against ICE collaboration is a North Bay-wide fight. They are calling on sheriffs, city councils and boards of supervisors to move beyond rhetoric and enact binding policies that prohibit all forms of cooperation with immigration enforcement.

#SantaRosaCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #ICE #SCSC #NBCSO

Napa, CA – Saturday morning, October 25, community members gathered outside the Home Depot in south Napa for an energetic protest against ICE’s presence in the Napa Valley and across the greater Bay Area.

The action was organized by the North Bay CSO (Community Service Organization), a grassroots group that has been leading local efforts against deportations and federal repression.

Despite sporadic rain throughout the morning, dozens of protesters showed up, holding banners that read “ICE out of the Napa Valley” and “Stop the deportations.” The demonstration came in response to reports of Trump threatening a “federal surge” throughout the greater Bay Area and its immigrant neighborhoods, as well as the confirmed presence of immigration enforcement at the Coast Guard station in Alameda. Protesters demanded that ICE leave Napa and the Bay Area entirely, denouncing the targeting of immigrant and working-class communities.

The rally saw a heavy presence of young Chicanos from West Napa, many of whom said they came out to defend their neighborhoods and stand in solidarity with local immigrant families.

“This is our home, our people,” one participant who only identified himself as Javi, said. “We’re not going to stand by while ICE terrorizes families in the same valley our parents built with their labor.”

Protesters also condemned recent threats by President Trump to send a “federal surge” into the Bay Area. Although Trump later recanted his remarks, organizers pointed out that ICE and federal agents have visibly increased their presence across northern California in recent weeks.

“I’m here because we have a felon in office that is illegally detaining people who are on stolen land and they are going missing and we need to know where they are, where they’re going, and this needs to stop because this is all illegal and people need to get mad about it,” said Darien Dickerson of Napa. “That supposed ‘federal surge’ throughout the Bay Area is 100% illegal. We need to stand up and fight back.”

“From Alameda to Napa, from Oakland to Santa Rosa, we’re building a movement that won’t let federal agents terrorize our communities,” said organizer Omar Otero. “The youth showing up today, especially the young Chicanos from West Napa, are proof that the next generation isn’t afraid to stand up and fight back.”

Saturday’s protest marked another step in the growing movement in the North Bay demanding that ICE be driven out of local communities once and for all.

As Dickerson said, and as the crowd echoed together, “We need to stand up and fight back.”

#NapaCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #ICE #Trump #NBCSO

Napa, CA – The month of March began with a powerful display of solidarity in Wine Country, as community members rallied and marched in support of their immigrant neighbors.

On March 1, a sunny Saturday afternoon, the streets of downtown Napa buzzed with tourists sampling wine and fine dining. But cutting through the soft background of jazz music, the chants of “From Napa Valley to LA, immigrants are here to stay!” rang out, demanding attention.

Marching alongside other local organizations, including North Bay CSO, demonstrators made their way down Napa’s busy restaurant-lined streets. Workers stepped out to high-five marchers, offering gestures of support. The procession continued past the Napa Police Department and City Hall before culminating at Memorial Park, overlooking the Napa River.

A CSO member and Napa resident originally from Michoacán, Mexico, reflected on the significance of the march, stating, “Napa is an interesting place with a lot of Trump supporters. Their hate is ridiculous, especially in a land that doesn’t belong to them, it can feel intimidating, but at the same time, it motivates me to be loud and let it be known that immigrants are here to stay.”

She added, “The fact that so many people are marching today makes me feel hopeful. This is why I show up.”

Another CSO member, Xulio Soriano, reminded the crowd of the land’s deeper history, stating, “The Wappo are the original people of this land. They cared for the river and the soil – the same land that makes ‘Wine Country’ so fertile today. I am an immigrant, and I am here to stay!”

Napa Valley is often seen as a playground for the wealthy, a destination for indulgence. But on this day, the community sent a clear message: Wine Country runs on immigrant worker power, and they will not be ignored.

#NapaCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #CSO #NBCSO #Feature

St. Helena, CA – On January 31, community members and North Bay Community Service Organization (CSO) braved the rain in the Napa Valley town of Saint Helena to stand in solidarity with immigrants.

Part of the week of action called by the Legalization 4 All Network, the demonstration took place on Main Street, a symbolic location where many immigrant workers contribute to the local economy. The crowd was full of passion as families, friends and neighbors chanted and called for an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in their town. The action highlighted the ongoing struggle for immigrant rights in Napa Valley, where many now live in fear of detention and deportation.

The demonstration was a testament to the strength and unity of the local people. It was pouring rain, yet attendees remained energized, holding signs and raising their voices in unison with chants of ‘ICE has got to go!”

Some attendees brought yellow rain ponchos for all, further strengthening people’s resolve. The presence of working-class immigrants, activists and allies demonstrated the deep-rooted resistance to policies that target immigrant families. Events like these emphasize that Saint Helena is not just a picturesque wine country town – it is also home to a diverse community of workers who demand dignity and justice.

One undocumented participant stated that she was unsure about attending the demonstration given her legal status, stating, “Despite having my fears, I decided it was important to be present, be loud, and to stand with others of our town.”

Support poured out from passersby during Saint Helena’s rush hour, with drivers offering honks and encouragement. Others stopped by and gifted the demonstrators with snacks and other refreshments. One woman shared that she had driven by earlier and decided to go home and make warm atole for demonstrators to thank them for making the community’s voices heard. After two hours of rallying in the rain, the atole was much appreciated.

The event closed with a call to action, urging people to stay engaged and attend future meetings. Organizers emphasized that the fight is far from over and that sustained pressure is necessary to achieve meaningful change.

As the movement for immigrant justice continues, events like this prove that when people come together, their collective power can overcome fear and challenge even the most oppressive systems.

#StHelenaCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #L4A #NBCSO