By Angelica C. Gualpa
Sandra Figueroa-Villa, 71, has witnessed many things in over 40 years of running the community nonprofit El Centro Del Pueblo in Echo Park, but the sheer fright and horror among the Latino immigrant community resulting from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids is something she never experienced.
“The biggest thing for us is fear. We received texts from the recreation center that the kids did not want to come in because of fear,” said Figueroa-Villa, executive director of the nonprofit. “And parents don’t want to come in for their workshops, especially at our office in Temple Bouldery, where ICE raided the business right across the street, so parents canceled for this day.”
Since 1980, El Centro Del Pueblo, 1157 Lemoyne Street, has been a staple in the neighborhood, working with providing partners to administer critical programs and social services for over 4,000 families in its catchment area.
But since the start of Friday’s ICE raids, the nonprofit has seen a sharp decline in service delivery, as fewer and fewer people show up to receive essential services. Families, staff and community members have started canceling appointments daily for essential resources, including food banks, health services, and other support, Figueroa-Villa said.
The ICE raids have also produced a chilling domino effect, disrupting other nonprofit services among one of LA’s working-class, Latino communities.
“Even food pantries are closing down because of the immigration protests, and it affects our everyday lives,” said Echo Park resident Henry Panora, adding he has trouble accessing food at local nonprofits in the community.
This ripple-down effect comes as ICE and the Department of Homeland Security reportedly have conducted raids in Los Angeles at or near churches, businesses, homes, and schools. This results in people being terrified to leave their homes, even if they are legal, lest they get caught in a bureaucratic web.
This trickles down and majorly disrupts all service delivery that many disadvantaged residents depend on.
Figueroa-Villa said she has met with all the providers in Los Angeles for El Centro Del Pueblo’s programs to discuss their initiatives and the necessary actions required by staff and clients to ensure safety. But the strain and pervasive dread of having masked federal enforcement agents detaining and arresting you has already spread on the streets of Echo Park.
“You see it everywhere – the fear, especially after Friday’s raids,” she said.
