June 11, 2026
It has been one year since ICE has wreaked havoc on the city of Whittier. Whitter, a city located only 20 miles from Downtown Los Angeles, has a deep rooted Latino community. The residents have united together to not only protect the community, but also rallied together to flip three Republican seats on the city council in April of this year. Now, a year later, the community is rallying together once again to remind the public that ICE and their fear tactics have no place in Whittier where the Hispanics/Latino population is 67.1%.
Yesterday, members of the community were alerted of ICE vehicles in front of the Whittier Central Library. Children in the community also happened to be obtaining their free community summer lunches while at least four ICE agents were present and circling the surrounding block. Whittier Mayor James Becerra and Councilmember Aida Macedo reported to the library to question the agents. Present agents refused to speak to city representatives claiming the reason was because rapid response advocacy groups were recording the exchange. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has released legal guidelines for recording and documenting police and federal agents, which states everyone has the right to record in a public space.
NHMC President & CEO, Brenda Victoria Castillo, a resident of Whittier, spoke with reporters from Whittier Daily News and shared, “My son was raised in this city, and one of the places that helped shape who he is is the library,” she said. “To see ICE vehicles show up on a day dedicated to providing free lunches for local children and families is beyond disturbing. Completely contrary to the spirit of this community. It’s an exact representation of this administration’s blatant hate of the American family.”
Castillo said the four ICE vehicles left the area empty-handed. The presence of Becerra and his attempt to speak with the agents is a step up from the previous mayor, she added.
“This city deserves representatives that will stand with its residents,” Castillo said. “Today’s rapid response team showed what’s possible when a community refuses to be intimidated. Whittier is stronger than the fear and division these officers are attempting to instill.”
For anyone who is interested in learning more about your rights, please visit our page with organizations and resources who are leading the effort to ensure our communities are protected. NHMC released their latest episode of Building Community - a moving discussion centered around ICE’s presence in Los Angeles over the course of the last year.
Whittier City Council will be hosting a special meeting this Friday, June 12th at 11 am. Residents of the city are encouraged to attend, virtually or in-person, and/or provide public comment at least one hour before the meeting if you cannot attend. For more information, please visit their site here.
