Asian Americans & Latinos: Solidarity Against ICE Raids
In Los Angeles, Asian American leaders are standing in solidarity with the latino community amidst ongoing ICE raids, fearing the impact on their own communities. This article from News Directory 3 explores how the Asian American community is uniting to support Latinos, highlighting the widespread fear and stigma that can silence communities during immigration enforcement actions. Recent data reveals that a significant portion of ICE arrests in the Los Angeles region involve individuals from Asian countries. Community leaders are calling for an end to the raids, emphasizing the need for support and solidarity across different groups. Discover what’s next for these communities.
Asian American Leaders Rally, Fearing Immigration Raid Impact in Los Angeles
Updated June 27, 2025
Los Angeles’ Asian American leaders are mobilizing in support of the Latino community, the primary target of recent federal immigration raids. They warn that Asian neighborhoods could be next.
Connie Chung joe, chief executive of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, noted the silence within her community despite high detention numbers. She attributed this to stigma and fear, contrasting it with the Latino community’s vocal resistance.
A recent news conference in Little Tokyo saw leaders from Thai, Japanese, and South Asian communities denouncing the federal action. Assemblymember Mike Fong emphasized the widespread fear in areas with large Asian immigrant populations.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado and Peter Gee of the Little Tokyo Service Center spoke against ICE raids at a Thursday news conference.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
While Latino neighborhoods have been the focus, Asian businesses and communities are also affected. Manjusha P. Kulkarni, executive director of AAPI Equity Alliance, reported 16 detentions outside a Little Bangladesh grocery store.
ICE data indicates 722 arrests in the Los Angeles region from June 1-10. Of those, 6% were individuals from Asian countries, according to the Deportation Data project at UC Berkeley Law.
Councilmembers Nithya Raman and Ysabel Jurado highlighted the raids’ repercussions on immigrant communities. Jurado emphasized the essential role of undocumented filipino caregivers in the region.
“Their work reflects the deepest values of our communities: compassion, service and interdependence,” Jurado said. “Their labor is essential, and their humanity must be honored.”
Both Jurado and Raman called for an end to the federal raids, stressing solidarity across communities.
”This is such an crucial moment to speak out and to ensure that the Latino community does not feel alone,” Raman said. “I also want to make it clear to every single person who is Asian American, these aren’t just raids on others. They’re raids on us.”
What’s next
Community leaders plan further action to support affected families and advocate for policy changes, emphasizing the importance of community solidarity in the face of ongoing immigration enforcement.