Reported ICE detainment in Stanislaus County kicks ‘rapid response’ support team into action
A Patterson man was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials on Wednesday, according to the Valley Watch Network Rapid Response Team. Volunteers from the organization stepped in to connect the individual and his family with resources.
This included hot-line numbers, direct contact with attorneys who offer free legal services, and instructions for reaching their loved one at the specific detention center.
The organization also links families with churches or community groups that can provide immediate financial assistance or mutual aid. Some of the organizations Valley Watch Network frequently works with include the Immigration Legal Resource Center, the American Civil Liberties Union and California Rural Legal Assistance.
“I’d say that’s the direct result of folks, learning about the rapid response. In these worst case scenarios, there are folks who are helping and who want to help,” said Griselda Rojas, a community organizer with Faith in the Valley.
Faith in the Valley revived its Valley Watch Network Rapid Response Team shortly after November’s election of President Donald Trump, aiming to mobilize volunteers to provide critical support for those impacted by immigration enforcement.
Rojas said the program was built because there weren’t many resources specific to the Central Valley.
“We’re trying to avoid — as much as we can — giving generic numbers. We want to connect them to organizations that we know have at least an office within the Central Valley,” Rojas said.
The group has held community presentations across the county to expand its outreach and educate residents about their rights. Faith in the Valley also uses social media to issue alerts about confirmed ICE activity. Last Wednesday, it posted an alert on Instagram regarding ICE presence in Patterson.
According to Rojas, there have been no reports of large-scale raids or mass detentions. Most incidents have involved targeted individuals.
“We are also aware that that is sometimes the excuse that immigration agencies use to be able to stop and question other folks, if they’re already in the area,” she added.
Faith in the Valley hopes to encourage more community members to report suspected ICE activity, which can be done anonymously. Even if the information isn’t certain, volunteers will work to verify the reports.
Another key focus is combating misinformation and false alerts, which often cause panic. Rojas said the group frequently receives calls about scam attempts, with people posing as ICE officials to target vulnerable community members.
Much of her time, she said, is spent addressing misinformation and helping communities stay calm.
While many volunteers have signed up, most opt for dispatcher roles because they can coordinate responses from home with a more flexible time commitment. Dispatchers help organize responses to both ICE activity and hate crimes.
However, Faith in the Valley has a greater need for legal observers — volunteers who document and verify incidents in real time.
It has noticed that ICE activity tends to occur in the early morning, typically between 5 and 9 a.m. This timing makes it challenging to have volunteers available, especially those with work or other obligations.
To sustain the rapid response network, the group is focused on ongoing education and community support. According to Rojas, the need for the work is even greater now than when the network first launched during Trump’s initial administration.
“We know that this is not going to be just a ‘right now’ situation. It’s going to be definitely for the next four years,” Rojas said.
Those interested in joining the Rapid Response Team can sign up online via the registration form at bit.ly/vwnvol. The Valley Watch Network hot-line number is 559-206-0151.
This story was originally published February 24, 2025 at 2:13 PM.
