Americans refused to give in to the Trump administration’s hate and stepped up to defend immigrant community members. Let’s carry that energy into the new year
While the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant agenda has been ruthless in attempting to spread fear, chaos, and division across our neighborhoods, communities, and spirit this past year, ordinary Americans everywhere are saying no. From workplaces and schools to houses of worship and courtrooms, everyday people from all backgrounds have been choosing to stand with their immigrant neighbors and defend our country’s unique place in the world as a nation of immigrants. Here are just twelve examples from the plethora of acts of solidarity from 2025:
‘I’M FEELING EMPOWERED’: EMERGENCY TRAININGS AND WARNING NETWORKS FORMED
In state after state, outraged and concerned community members organized emergency trainings and warning networks to protect their immigrant neighbors from masked deportation agents. In Los Angeles and Chicago, community-led watches that trailed ICE caravans resulted in a formidable defense network that became a blueprint for other cities. In Charlotte, for example, hundreds crowded the pews of Dilworth United Methodist Church to learn how to use whistles to alert their neighbors of the unwelcome presence of ICE and Border Patrol. “People are telling me as they go through this training like, ‘I’m feeling empowered,’” said Rev. Joel Simpson. “‘I feel like I can do something and there’s a way to channel my love and my anger and my fear into something that supports other people.’”
CONCERNED PARENTS AND TEACHERS PROTECTED STUDENTS
But community members didn’t stop there. As masked deportation agents began targeting schools as part of a key Project 2025 demand, concerned parents, educators, and neighbors began to organize “walking school buses” in order to ensure children could get to class safely and access the public school education guaranteed to all children regardless of immigration status. In Charlotte, residents also organized volunteer patrols with PTA members standing guard at school entrances. The actions have meant a lot to families, said one volunteer. “Seeing a familiar face that’s friendly and smiling helps bring a sense of normalcy,” said Charlotte PTA member Mike Mastry. “When kids don’t know what’s going on, they get disoriented and have trouble learning.”
NEIGHBORS HELPED FEED NEIGHBORS IN NEED
When the fear of being targeted and separated from their loved ones kept many immigrant neighbors stuck at home and away from grocery stores, neighbors, restaurants, and local groups responded by delivering food straight to their door. “If you’re avoiding public spaces, we will come to you,” said the YMCA Los Angeles. And even while being threatened themselves, immigrants took action to clear roads and deliver food to their affected neighbors when the L.A. area was gutted by wildfires at the beginning of the year. “Our values and our principles come first, that’s what our parents taught us,” said housekeeper Maria Garcia. “They always used to say, help others without concern for who they are or why they need help.”
‘WE’RE JUST HERE DOING WHAT’S RIGHT’: YOUNG PEOPLE LED THE WAY
The next generation stepped up with organizing power and remarkable courage beyond their years, including through spirited school walk-outs around the country. In just one example from Oregon this past month, hundreds of Forest Grove High School students took to the streets to protest mass deportation raids and rising fear in their community. “We’re American,” said senior Dulceluna. “We live here; we hope for that American dream,” Dulceluna said. “And we’re out here fighting not only for ourselves and our future, but for so many people before us. This entire country is made up of generations of immigrants, and we’re just here doing what’s right.” But these young Americans didn’t stop there. In California’s Boyle Heights, a student-led group delivered care packages to families too afraid to leave their homes.
EMPLOYERS KNEW THEIR RIGHTS AND STOOD THEIR GROUND
From a Louisiana convenience store that locked Border Patrol agents out of a Kenner store and told them to go get their chicken somewhere else to a Minnesota restaurant that demanded mass deportation agents show them their warrant or hit the road, businesses across the country have sided with their workers and customers and refused to be complicit with mass deportation. In cases where entrepreneurs like food vendors are under direct threat, community members have bought out their entire stock so sellers can get back home as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, other community members encouraged their neighbors to shop at locally-owned businesses displaying “We Stand With Immigrant Families” stickers.
‘IMMORAL’: FAITH LEADERS CONDEMNED TRUMP’S UGLY ANTI-IMMIGRANT OBSESSION
In one of the most forceful condemnations of mass deportation to date, Illinois-born Pope Leo XIV rebuked the administration’s anti-immigrant obsessions, saying that the “inhuman treatment of immigrants” is not in line with Catholic teachings and urged church leaders “to continue to advocate for society to respect the human dignity of the most vulnerable.” U.S. Catholic bishops heeded the call, issuing a rare, stinging rebuke of the administration’s agenda. Hundreds of leaders from an array of Christian traditions also issued a letter condemning Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem, writing that her actions are “immoral,” “are tearing families apart,” and have resulted in their congregants being disappeared in “unmarked vans.” Faith leaders have shown that solidarity can come in many ways, including accompanying individuals to their immigration court dates and walking 800 miles from the childhood home of Pope Leo to the Statue of Liberty in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors.
PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS TOOK ACTION
Communities manifested the teachings of their faiths by launching fundraisers to cover bills and groceries for immigrant families, supporting family members visiting their detained loved ones, writing letters urging church leaders to more boldly advocate for their congregants, and, following the example of faith leaders in the San Diego area, accompanying immigrants to immigration court. “Among the mostly older volunteers for San Diego’s new ministry were Bonnie and David Freeman of San Diego, both retired professors who worked with teachers of English as a second language at schools in Texas and Central California,” said National Catholic Reporter. “Both 81, the Freemans called the new ministry ‘extremely important.’”
‘UNLAWFUL’: COURTS DELIVERED JUSTICE FOR DETAINED IMMIGRANTS AND TARGETED COMMUNITIES
Legal advocates and sound-minded judges pushed back against the administration’s illegal roundups, including its obsessive targeting of Maryland dad Kilmar Ábrego García. Following his court-ordered release this month, he said he believed that the injustice we’re all witnessing will one day “come to its end. Keep fighting. Do not give up.” In Colorado, a federal judge ruled ICE’s conduct “unlawful” and blocked warrantless arrests. This month, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the administration’s mandatory detention policy. And just this week, National Guard members still occupying L.A. fled the area following a court-mandated deadline on Monday, proving that when we stand up for each other, we can win. “There were more than usual, and all of them left — there was not a single one that stayed,” said one L.A. community member.
AMERICANS STOOD UP TO DEFEND OUR CHERISHED PERSONAL FREEDOMS
The administration’s obsession with Ábrego García and concern for due process rights were top of mind for many Americans who flooded town halls during the administration’s first 100 days. In just one example, constituents at a town hall held by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) pressed the lawmaker about Ábrego García and the freedoms cherished by all Americans and did not relent when Grassley attempted to shift responsibility from Congress. “Supreme Court says to bring him back,” yelled one attendee. Trump is “defying the Constitution,” multiple voices said. “If I get a court order to pay $1,200, can I just say no, does that stand up?” a man yelled. “Because he’s just got an order from the Supreme Court, and he’s just said no screw it!” Multiple voices continued to respond in agreement. “Yeah, I’m pissed!”
AMERICANS MADE HISTORY IN THE NAME OF IMMIGRANT JUSTICE
There are more of us than there are of them. Thank you for a truly historic day of peaceful protests across America. #NoKings
— Indivisible ❌👑 (@indivisible.org) 2025-10-19T13:25:11.799Z
The righteous anger seen in Iowa would repeatedly flood communities everywhere throughout the year, including during the historic “No Kings” protests in October. National turnout for this second round of “No Kings” demonstrations made it the largest single-day political protest in decades. “Saturday’s events are very likely the biggest single-day protest event since 1970, surpassing even the 2017 Women’s March demonstrations against Trump,” said data-driven journalist G. Elliot Morris. “We’re here representing normal people — regular, peaceful Americans — who are against what this administration is doing, who are against the occupation of our cities and the disappearing of our neighbors off the streets,” said one attendee and U.S. military veteran from the D.C. rally.
‘BRING OUR KIDS BACK’: RURAL COMMUNITIES DEFENDED IMMIGRANTS
Let’s not overlook fearless leadership seen in small towns and rural America. When community members from Tom Homan’s hometown of Sackets Harbor – population 1,500 – found out that a local dairy worker and her children had been indiscriminately rounded up, a crowd of 1,000 turned out to protest. “When I think of my third grader’s experience, my stomach twists and it is hard to breathe,” wrote one local educator. While 90-year-old Jane Jenkins couldn’t participate in the march, she arranged to watch from the front of a friend’s home. Those who did participate carried signs reading “Bring Our Kids Back” and “Tom Homan Took Our Kids.” Meanwhile, Homan skipped town, apparently terrified of folks like Ms. Jenkins. In the end, justice won when the family was freed.
SIMPLY PUT, WE’RE BETTER BECAUSE OF IMMIGRANTS
Despite the un-American rhetoric and policies coming from those at the very top, immigrants continued to claim their rightful place in this country with hope and resilience, including new citizens who celebrated their first July 4th as Americans, immigrant military service members who continue to serve this country with distinction, and every day heroes who feed us, make our roads safer, teach our children, care for our loved ones, and help sustain our economy. These moments of celebration and service are a reminder of why this fight matters, because America is strengthened by those who choose to call it home. Let’s continue to stand by them in 2026.
