Alex Padilla U.S. Senator for California

SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, hosted a conversation with members and leaders who comprise the Sacramento Rapid Response Network (RRN) to discuss the need to communicate, collaborate, and work creatively as the Trump Administration ramps up its attacks on immigrant communities in the Sacramento Valley and across the state. As increasing arrests have stoked widespread fear among immigrants throughout the region, the Sacramento RRN and partners — including California Immigration Project, River City Food Bank, Community HealthWorks, NorCal Resist, and Elk Grove Unified School District — are playing a critical role in defending immigrants’ rights and security.

Padilla talked with local leaders and organizations about the challenges they are facing in providing critical services to immigrants that are under attack by the Trump Administration, including health care, basic needs support, legal defense, and more. He also heard stories from individuals who are dealing with the direct impacts of President Trump’s cruel immigration enforcement and received a briefing on how volunteers are assisting immigrants appearing for court hearings.

“The Trump Administration’s inhumane immigration enforcement and vilification of hardworking immigrants in the Sacramento Valley and across California is threatening the basic rights and livelihoods of our communities. California will not stay silent,” said Senator Padilla. “We need all hands on deck to push back against Donald Trump’s callous attacks — and that starts with community-driven coalitions like the Sacramento Rapid Response Network. I applaud the Network for their tireless work to protect vulnerable immigrants in the Sacramento Valley and beyond, and I hope it can serve as a model for groups throughout the state to work together to keep our communities safe.”

“Immigration enforcement like what we’ve seen here in Sacramento doesn’t just affect one person—it fractures families, destabilizes neighborhoods, and sends ripple effects through our entire community. When families live in fear, our schools, workplaces, and local economies all feel the impact. Aggressive enforcement actions create a chilling effect far beyond immigrant households. We see people afraid to access healthcare, report crimes, or engage in civic life—and that weakens the safety and wellbeing of all of us. Our economy, our public resources, and our sense of community are all interconnected. Protecting immigrant communities is not the work of one sector alone—it requires all of us. Business leaders, educators, healthcare providers, faith communities, and government must come together to ensure immigrants are safe, supported, and able to thrive. When we protect immigrants, we strengthen the future of our entire region,” said Jessie Mabry, CEO at Opening Doors.

“Since May 27th, our team has documented 38 arrests carried out by plainclothes ICE officers on the 4th and 5th floors of Sacramento’s Immigration Court. This number does not include individuals apprehended in the community. I have personally witnessed a coordinated and aggressive presence of officers silently lining the hallways, detaining people with force, often without identifying themselves or explaining any reason for the arrest. Widespread fear is causing many pro se respondents to miss their hearings, leading to a rise in removal orders entered in the person’s absence. This outcome is not due process, it is intimidation designed to discourage people from attending court,” said Kamalpreet Chohan, Staff Attorney at California Immigration Project.

“NorCal Resist will continue to stand on the frontlines of resistance against abuses spearheaded by the federal government. We stand by our most vulnerable community members and are dedicated to uplifting our neighbor despite every effort to break them down. NorCal Resist is the first line of contact for many of our impacted immigrant neighbors, so we directly see the fear and devastation ravaging these communities. Our volunteers have also experienced physical and mental violence from immigration enforcement agents and continue to show up every single day. This is how we combat government abuse and overreach, by showing up,” said Giselle Garcia, Programs Director at NorCal Resist.

“River City Food Bank has been a safety net in Sacramento for more than 50 years, and today we welcome 30,000 people experiencing food insecurity each month—including working families, immigrants, children and seniors. CalFresh is the first line of defense against food insecurity. When benefits are cut, families lose the ability to buy groceries with dignity and turn to food banks already operating at capacity. We are seeing the demand for emergency food surge—up more than 40% since the pandemic and 6% year over year. Hunger relief programs, including River City Food Bank, will always show up for our neighbors, but we cannot replace billions in lost benefits. Protecting CalFresh and food banks mean preserving the dignity, stability, and future of families across our community,” said Amanda McCarthy, Executive Director at River City Foodbank.

Padilla expressed his strong support for defending immigrant communities, including through a pair of recently introduced bills. His VISIBLE Act, introduced in July, would require immigration enforcement officers to display clearly visible identification during public-facing enforcement actions. The bill would strengthen oversight, transparency, and accountability for the Trump Administration’s indiscriminate and alarming immigration enforcement tactics that have terrorized communities across California and the nation. Padilla also highlighted his bill to update the existing Registry statute to expand a pathway to lawful permanent residency for millions of long-term U.S. residents.

The Sacramento Rapid Response Network is comprised of three main branches:

• Rapid Response, including:
  • NorCal Resist: Facilitates a rapid response hotline and “Know Your Rights” events, mobilizes volunteers, and supports social services for detained individuals’ families;
  • CA Immigration Project: Trains volunteer attorneys, conducts legal intervention at the Sacramento Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Office for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests and manages the FUEL network that provides community education; and
  • Community Justice Alliance: Organizes broader rapid response, provides legal wellness checks and consultations, and trains cross-sector partners.

• Community Education, including:
  • La Familia: Conducts workshops, connects social service programs to people, and communicates with local businesses and
  • California Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR): Provides community education and immigration legal consultations and services.

• Opening Doors: Facilitates central communication, assists with hub activities, and supports subgrantees. 

Photos from today’s roundtable are available here.

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