Immigrant Aid: LA Clinic Supports Those in Fear | NBC Los Angeles
- recent immigration operations are causing widespread fear among immigrant communities in Los Angeles.
- One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said she has not left her home in weeks, fearing detention.
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offered her $1,000 and a plane ticket to return to Venezuela.
Immigrant communities in Los Angeles are living in fear due to recent immigration operations, leading to isolation, adn prompted help from organizations. St. John’s Community Clinics are providing vital support, including delivering groceries and offering home visits to address the impact of deportation fears. Clinics report fewer patient visits as an inevitable result of the community’s rising anxiety. An anonymous woman, facing potential deportation, highlights the arduous choices immigrants face. This article, brought to you by News Directory 3, underscores the critical role of healthcare access, with clinics conducting home visits and assisting with transport. The clinics’ work provides vital solace. Discover what’s next for these communities as organizations work to ensure continued care and support.
Immigration Fears Keep Los Angeles Residents Home
Updated June 27, 2025
recent immigration operations are causing widespread fear among immigrant communities in Los Angeles. This fear is prompting many to stay inside, creating a sense of isolation.organizations and volunteers are responding by providing essential needs to families hesitant to leave their homes.
One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said she has not left her home in weeks, fearing detention. She relies on her son for errands and keeps her door locked due to stress. The woman arrived from Venezuela with humanitarian parole granted by former President Joe Biden, but it was later canceled by President Donald Trump.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offered her $1,000 and a plane ticket to return to Venezuela. However, she fears leaving her 15-year-old U.S. citizen son and interrupting her treatment for Guillain-Barré disease. She stated that returning to Venezuela would leave her bedridden, as she cannot afford her medications there. This situation highlights the challenges faced by many immigrants and the impact of immigration operations on their lives.
St. John’s Community Clinics are stepping in to help those affected by this fear. Peggy Hernandez, of St. John’s Community Clinics, said they are offering to deliver groceries to people afraid to go to the store. The clinics also report a decline in patient visits.
Lindsey Sanchez, also of St. John’s Community Clinics, noted that many people are canceling appointments, emphasizing the importance of health care access. To combat this, medical teams are conducting home visits and transporting children to the clinic.
One patient said that clinics like St. John’s make them feel safe, highlighting the crucial role these organizations play in providing care and support during times of heightened anxiety within the immigrant community.
What’s next
Organizations like St. John’s Community Clinics plan to continue and expand their outreach efforts to ensure that immigrant communities receive the support and medical care they need,despite the prevailing fears surrounding immigration enforcement.