Rising immigration enforcement in Northern California has left many immigrant families fearful, prompting local businesses and neighbors to provide food deliveries and other assistance
YUBA CITY, Calif. —
Immigration enforcement activity has increased across the country, including in Northern California, leaving many immigrant families afraid to leave their homes and prompting community members to step up and help.
Saul Lucatero, owner of Lulu’s Tortilleria in Yuba City, has started offering free delivery of tortillas and meals to families in need.
“Think about the ice cream truck guy but tortillas,” Lucatero said. “When we saw that ICE activity picked up a lot and people were concerned about leaving, I said, ‘Hey, why don’t we start to free delivery, doesn’t matter how much they order. That way, anything we can do to reduce how much people are out in the street driving around, you know, let’s do that.'”
Lucatero emphasized the importance of his efforts, saying, “This could be the last meal that a family has together for a while.”
One of the families benefiting from this support is led by Chusa, a mother of three whose husband recently signed a voluntary departure. Now raising her children alone, Chusa is living in constant fear of leaving her home.
“I’ve seen those posts [about immigration enforcement],” Chusa said. “I’m afraid to even go outside to take out the trash now. I’m really scared. I’m afraid to go to work. I’m afraid.”
As Chusa works to care for her children and make ends meet, a recent delivery to her home brought her some much-needed relief.
“It’s not just the food,” she said. “A woman I work with, and her daughter too. The young woman tells KCRA, ‘If you need anything, if you need groceries, let me know so you don’t have to go outside.'”
In this time of heightened fear and uncertainty, local businesses and neighbors are coming together to support immigrant families in Northern California.
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