Category: Immigration

Protesters chant while job fair is underway; CSUC notches up security

ICE representatives participate in CSUC student recruitment
by ChicoSol staff | Posted February 26, 2025

“Fuera ICE” (Out with ICE) reads a protester’s sign at the BMU today.

About 40 protesters gathered in front of the Bell Memorial Union (BMU) today to protest the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a Chico State job fair.

Two recruiters from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a law enforcement agency within ICE, were recruiting at the fair. “No justice, no peace, until ICE leaves,” protesters chanted in the plaza outside the BMU as other students waited in line to check in so that they could attend the fair.

The single-door check-in process was a new step implemented for today’s fair, said Andrew Staples, university public relations manager. read more

Chico State students protest plans to include ICE at job fair

Homeland Security Investigations has job and volunteer openings
by ChicoSol staff | Posted February 24, 2025

Students protested at Chico State today.

A group of protesters circled the Chico State campus today, then gathered on the lawn near the Bell Memorial Union to protest the participation of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) at a job fair that will be held Feb. 26.

“No ICE on campus!” chanted marching protesters. “We do not need people who are choosing to dehumanize our fellow humans, our friends and our family and the members of our community on our campus, threatening their safety,” said an organizer, Anna Krause.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), San Francisco/NorCal, a law enforcement component within ICE, has registered to attend Chico State’s Business Career Fair. The flier for the fair indicates the agency has openings for special agents as well as student volunteers. read more

Protests and informational sessions support immigrant communities

ImmSchools: Public schools can create a safe environment
by Julian Mendoza | Posted February 12, 2025

photo by Julian Mendoza
Kassandra Ramondo (left) and Lizette Pilar

Hundreds of people gathered on Chico State’s campus Feb. 5 for a peaceful march in what was one of several recent local protests advocating for immigrant rights.

“I think it’s super important that people understand and know that immigrants do make the backbone of our country,” said Lizette Pilar, program coordinator at Chico State’s Gender & Sexuality Equity Coalition. “Especially in agriculture, a lot of our pickers are illegal immigrants or undocumented.”

Efforts are underway across the state — including passage of new laws, street protests and information sessions — to push back against the Trump Administration’s most extreme immigration measures. Downtown Los Angeles has had multiple protests including one that blocked U.S. 101 for hours. Ethnic Media Services (EMS), a a nonprofit news and communications agency, held a know-your-rights training Feb. 7 for media organizations. read more

Protesters: Immigrants built America

'Un Día sin Inmigrantes' spurs protests in Butte County and elsewhere
by ChicoSol staff | Posted February 3, 2025

Magdalen Riestra (middle in photo) organized a same-day protest for the Day without Immigrants. Some Chico State students stayed home from work or class.

More than 100 people participated in a peaceful protest to show solidarity with immigrants today in Chico, and more hit the streets in Gridley and elsewhere in the state.

Participants marched around Chico State, danced spontaneously in City Plaza, and stood on the sidewalk next to the plaza, holding signs and shouting at passing vehicles.

Magdalen Riestra, 21, a public health student at Chico State, organized the protest.

“There’s a lot of issues surrounding immigration and immigrants coming into this country for a better life,” Riestra said. “They are being told by the media and our president that they are not wanted here and that is not fair. They built America since a long time ago, and no person is illegal on stolen land. read more

People’s March on Chico prepares to fight for change

Voting is important on everything from "dog-catcher to president"
by Yucheng Tang | Posted January 18, 2025

Hundreds of people joined the People’s March on Chico today, marching from City Plaza to the Women’s Club as many passing drivers honked in support, prompting cheers and screams from the protesters.

Lead coordinator of the People’s March Chico coalition and Women’s March Chico, Angela Silva, said the coalition formed in “response to Trump’s second election. We have welcomed in so many groups.” Silva said more than 500 people participated in the march and rally.

“On the national level, there is a massive list of groups that have come together across the nation, understanding that we’re going to need to work together to fight for our human rights, and to not abide by the injustices that may come out of this incoming administration,” Silva added. read more

Fear Paralyzes Tiny Town in California’s Tulare County

After Border Patrol raids, town of Poplar comes to a standstill
by Peter Schurmann | Posted January 18, 2025

photo by Manuel Ortiz
Mari Pérez Ruíz of Community Valley Empowerment Alliance discusses the recent raids with a community of indigenous farmworkers in Tulare County.

POPLAR, Ca. -– In the early 1970s, this unincorporated town in California’s agricultural heartland was designated by county officials as having “no authentic future.” That designation—entailing dramatic cuts to basic services remained until as recently as 2023.

Now, following a series of raids on immigrants that began on Jan. 7 in neighboring Kern County, residents here say the future does indeed look bleak.

“People are scared. They don’t want to come out. We’re all scared,” says Gregorio, a resident of Poplar for the past seven years and the owner of a local business that caters to the community’s farmworker population. (We are not using Gregorio’s last name to protect his identity.) read more