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CBS 8: Local community members gather to support each other amid ICE enforcement concerns
- Alexandra Calvaruso
- Mar 21
- 1 min read
CHULA VISTA, Calif. — Community members in south San Diego County came together in Bonita in support of one another amid concerns over ICE enforcement, Thursday evening.
A big focus was to build resilience during what many people say is a very uncertain time. The gathering aimed to create a safe place for people to allow them to ask questions and voice concerns about ICE enforcement and the possible threat of deportation.
"Tonight, we're here to address some of that emotion we've been hearing in our community as of late," said Natalia who helped organize the event.
People shared feelings of fear, anxiety and uncertainty while also emphasizing a sense of hope and unity.
An open mic provided a vibrant platform for performances, speeches, poetry, and singing. The gathering was hosted by the Friends of Friendship Park, a group advocating for public access to the historic meeting place on the U.S.-Mexico border. They shared actionable ways for attendees to ensure their voices were heard.
"You have the right to speak out, you have the right to participate in the community in a collective way and one way people are doing that is creating supportive networks in their neighborhoods," said Pedro Rios, with Friends of Friendship Park.
CBS 8 asked if the group had heard many reports of ICE agents making contact with people locally.
"We've been hearing about ICE presence throughout San Diego County. It's not surprising if they were in the Bonita community," he said.
Many people asked about immigration arrest numbers in San Diego. So far we're told ICE is not releasing any local numbers so the answer remains unclear.
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Hearing stories of fear and hope from the Bonita gathering really highlights how important it is to create safe spaces for dialogue and support. Building resilience in real life can feel a lot like playing Tunnel Rush: you have to keep moving, stay focused, and adapt quickly to sudden changes. It’s encouraging to see people actively working to protect each other and their rights.
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