As President Donald Trump doubles down on his anti-immigration stance, anxiety is spreading among undocumented immigrants who are fearful of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. In East Palo Alto and many other Bay Area communities, rumors of raids—though mostly unconfirmed—have spread across social media.
False reports began circulating online following the first major workplace immigration raid in Kern County, Calif., earlier this month. This operation led to the arrest of dozens of undocumented immigrants, most of whom were farm workers. As a result, panic-filled posts quickly spread beyond Kern County, reaching EPA.
A SWAT team raided the Ravenswood 101 Shopping Center in EPA on Jan. 9 in search of a suspected murderer, according to EPA Vice Mayor Mark Dinan. This incident sparked rumors that ICE was conducting raids for all undocumented immigrants in EPA, which spread on social media platforms like Nextdoor and Facebook.
Community members have also reported seeing U.S. Customs and Border Protection cars in EPA on Nextdoor, stirring even more fear of immigration raids.
“Regarding the recent presence of the CBP van in the city, I want to clarify that it was not related to immigration enforcement or raids. Their presence was requested to assist federal law enforcement with an open case unrelated to anyone’s immigration status,” EPA Mayor Martha Barragan said.
“People have a right to be concerned,” Vice Mayor Dinan said. “This is not a made-up paranoia fantasy. This is a real issue in 2025, and we should be ready, but we also need to make sure we’re not jumping at shadows and we’re acting on real information, not rumors.”
Instagram story chains have played a major role in spreading misinformation. While these posts are likely trying to help, they can spread unnecessary fear and anxiety based in misinformation.
Instagram story with rumors about ICE in EPA posted in January. 
Instagram story with rumors about ICE in EPA posted in January. 
Instagram story with rumors about ICE in EPA posted in January. 
Instagram story with rumors about ICE in Redwood City posted in January. 
Instagram story with rumors about ICE in EPA posted in January.
“As a child of immigrants, it’s scary,” an M-A junior with undocumented parents said. “I could be in class and think, ‘Is my mom okay right now?’”
One undocumented senior shared that hearing rumors about ICE activity in EPA made him worry about deportation. “It’s a risk when we’re out somewhere, there might be immigration raidings,” he said.
“We’re a community of immigrants here,” Vice Mayor Dinan said. “Everybody is concerned about this. It’s important to make sure that we have a clear way to let people know what’s going on.”
With 41.9% its population being immigrants, EPA is a sanctuary city, meaning city officials have stated they will not cooperate with ICE in any way. In efforts to educate the community on their rights, city council members have hosted a “Know Your Rights” training, where they inform residents about what they should do if they encounter ICE.
“Our goal is to provide residents with accurate information and reassurance that their human rights are a priority,” Mayor Barragan said.
While ICE has not been to EPA recently, ICE agents were confirmed to be conducting operations in San Jose this past weekend. The San Jose Police Department said they would not help with any ICE-related activity. In response to the operations, San Jose community members gathered to protest for immigrant rights in East San Jose on Jan. 28.
Though what will happen next in EPA is unclear, there have not yet been any confirmed ICE agents in the city this year. Relying on social media for information can lead to fear due to misinformation. Credible sources about immigration and ICE in the Bay Area be found on local news outlets like the SF Chronicle or NBC Bay Area, as well as the M-A Chronicle.
