Immigrant rights advocates have been moving across California to create a coalition of activist groups with hundreds of volunteers fanning out across car washes, Home Depots, and other frequently known locations that have become targets for federal enforcement agents. 

The mass mobilization was ramped up following Monday’s Supreme Court ruling that allowed immigration agents to stop and detain anyone they suspect of being in the United States illegally. In a 6-3 vote, the justices granted an emergency appeal and lifted a Los Angeles judge’s order that prohibited “roving patrols” from picking up people off the streets based on how they look, the language they speak, where they work, or where they happen to be at the time.

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The ruling was met with immediate backlash from California Democrats, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

Newsom, a rumored 2028 Democratic presidential contender, told the Washington Examiner that “[President Donald] Trump’s hand-picked Supreme Court majority just became the Grand Marshal for a parade of racial terror in Los Angeles.”

“This isn’t about enforcing immigration laws — it’s about targeting Latinos and anyone who doesn’t look or sound like [White House deputy chief of staff] Stephen Miller’s idea of an American, including U.S. citizens and children, to deliberately harm California’s families and small businesses,” he added. 

Outside a Home Depot near MacArthur Park in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles, organizers, lawyers, and local lawmakers gathered to say LA residents would not be intimidated by the Trump administration. MacArthur Park has been the site of multiple raids by federal agents in recent months. 

Flor Melendez, executive director of CLEAN Car Wash Worker Center, a labor advocacy nonprofit group, told workers that despite the high court’s decision, “we will continue to stand strong.” She said, “This decision does not push us back. It brings our community forward, and we need to see that.”

Federal agents have targeted 81 car washes, several more than three times each, since June, according to CLEAN. More than 250 car wash employees have been detained since sweeping immigration enforcement started, with one labor organizer arrested during his shift at a car wash last week, Melendez said.  

Hundreds of volunteers are banding together to post arrests and detainments on social media, warning workers when federal agents are nearby, and hosting “know-your-rights” workshops for citizens and illegal immigrants.

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Siempre Unidos LA, for example, warned residents of seven counties to expect enforcement actions to intensify beginning Tuesday, while the West Los Angeles Rapid Response Network told followers to prepare to document interactions with federal agents, including those with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“We can expect ICE activity across the city, especially at Home Depots and other day laborer sites, like car washes,” the group wrote. “The ICE tactics we have learned to recognize are what we can expect to see in greater numbers and frequency. At times like this it is absolutely necessary to remain courageous, organized and vigilant.”

The California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice has an online Communities Against ICE “toolkit.” It also offers a comprehensive guide, in both English and Spanish, on the steps someone should take if their loved one is detained by ICE agents. 

RepresentLA, a public-private partnership, provides legal representation to immigrants in custody. It hosts an immigrant workshop on the last Wednesday of every month from noon to 2 p.m. that includes information on “getting real help to avoid immigration fraud and scams,” “knowing the process of immigration court and removal proceedings,” “knowing your rights” in court and with immigration agents, as well as eligibility information for obtaining a U visa. U visas provide temporary immigration status in the U.S. for victims of certain crimes who are willing to assist authorities in investigating or prosecuting criminal activity. 

The Washington Examiner contacted ICE requesting comment.

The weight of the Supreme Court’s decision is already being felt on the streets of Los Angeles. 

“Personally, this is persecuting me and my family,” Pepe Morales, 55, told the Los Angeles Times. Morales is a father of four who has lived in the U.S. for 25 years and comes to the Home Depot in Westlake to find work. The particular site where Morales was interviewed has been raided at least four times; the last time, agents used non-lethal projectiles and tear gas, advocates claimed. 

“My kids realize everything going on,” Morales said. “I’m worried how that’ll affect them psychologically. They’re not respecting kids or anyone. A lot of people are worried — the whole community,” he added. “Vamos a ver hambres, muertes. [We are going to see hunger, deaths.]”

Community groups have organized everything from bringing food to immigrants staying in their homes to helping Latino businesses that have seen a sharp drop in customers. 

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Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, touted Monday’s ruling as  “a win for the safety of Californians and the rule of law.”

“DHS law enforcement will not be slowed down and will continue to arrest and remove the murderers, rapists, gang members and other criminal illegal aliens that Karen Bass continues to give safe harbor,” she said.