How Can We Be More Prepared: A San Diego Guide to Community Safety and Action

What’s Happening and Why So Many of Us Are Scared

If you’ve been following the news out of Minneapolis, there’s a deep and growing sense of fear, grief, and outrage. Most recently, two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renée Good, were shot and killed by federal immigration enforcement agents during operations in the city; both were 37-year-old Minnesotans whose deaths have shaken families, neighbors, and communities nationwide. Their names join others who have been killed during aggressive ICE and Border Patrol operations, and those losses continue to fuel calls for accountability and change.

The anxiety you’re feeling isn’t irrational. You’re watching something wrong unfold and wondering when it might happen in your city, on your street, in your neighborhood. That uncertainty creates real trauma and depression for many of us.

But here’s what we can do: we can prepare. We can organize. We can look out for each other. This guide is about taking that fear and anxiety and channeling it into concrete action that actually helps keeps our San Diego community safe.

Use Your Voice: Call Your Representatives Now

The single most powerful thing you can do today is call your elected officials. Seriously—this matters more than you think.

Go to 5calls.org right now. Here’s why this site is so helpful:

It shows you current issues to call about (including what’s happening with immigration enforcement)
It gives you direct phone numbers for your senators and representatives
It provides scripts so you know exactly what to say
It tracks your calls so you can see your impact

Call about what’s happening in Minneapolis and demand accountability for all the recent deaths. Call for the protection of immigrant communities here in California. Ask for transparency in federal enforcement operations.

Your representatives track how many constituents contact them on specific issues. Volume matters. When hundreds or thousands of people call about the same thing, it influences decisions. Five minutes on 5calls.org can have a real impact.

Don’t skip this step because you think one call won’t matter. It does.

Building Community Safety Networks in San Diego

Now let’s talk about what we can do locally to protect each other.

Form Rapid Response Groups

The most effective way to keep your neighborhood safe is to organize with your neighbors. This doesn’t require expertise, just people who care about each other.

Start with these steps:

Create a group chat or phone tree with neighbors on your block
Share the San Diego Rapid Response Network hotline: 858-751-7553
Agree on how you’ll communicate if someone spots ICE activity
Decide who will monitor the group chat during different times of day
Create a shared album where photos or videos can be uploaded immediately

When ICE vehicles (marked or unmarked) are spotted in your area, quick communication can help people stay safe. Some neighborhoods use code words. Others use location pins. Find what works for your community.

Know Your Rights Training

Understanding your rights reduces anxiety because it replaces helplessness with knowledge. Here are the basics everyone in your household should know:

Your Rights:

You don’t have to open the door unless agents have a judicial warrant (not just an administrative warrant)
You have the right to remain silent
You have the right to speak with a lawyer
You don’t have to consent to searches
You can film interactions from a safe distance

Get trained: The Immigration Legal Service Coalition of San Diego (858-751-7553) offers Know Your Rights trainings regularly. Attend one, then share what you learned with your neighbors.

Document Safely

If you witness ICE activity in your neighborhood, safe documentation provides accountability. Here’s how:

Film from a distance and never put yourself in danger
Record the time, location, and number of agents
Get license plate numbers if possible
Note vehicle descriptions (marked vs. unmarked)
Never physically interfere with an operation
Create a shared album where photos or videos can be uploaded immediately

This documentation can be crucial for legal cases and holding agencies accountable.

Reporting ICE Sightings in San Diego

If you see suspected ICE activity, report it immediately to help keep your community safe.

San Diego Rapid Response Network: 858-751-7553

When you call, provide:

Exact location
Time
Number of agents/vehicles
Vehicle descriptions and license plates
Whether it appears to be an active operation or agents passing through

Important: Verify information before spreading it. Confirm whether agents are conducting an operation or just passing through. Accurate information prevents unnecessary panic while still keeping people safe.

The rapid response network can:

Alert community members in the area
Dispatch legal observers
Connect affected families with legal resources immediately
Document patterns of enforcement activity

Local Resources and Support Organizations

These San Diego organizations are on the front lines every day:

Immigration Legal Service Coalition of San Diego

Phone: 858-751-7553
Provides legal support and coordinates rapid response
Offers Know Your Rights trainings

Jewish Family Service of San Diego

Phone: (858) 637-3210
Comprehensive support, including mental health services
Resources for families affected by enforcement

Immigrant Legal Resource Center

Website: ilrc.org (educational resources and legal information)
Family preparedness planning guides
Note: ILRC provides resources and training but does not offer direct legal services

Immigrant Defenders Law Center

Main Phone: (213) 634-0999
Rapid Response Legal Line: (213) 833-8283 (M-F, 9am-4pm)
Direct legal representation
Emergency legal support

Consider supporting these organizations financially or volunteering your time. They need resources to continue this critical work.

Organize Mutual Aid

Talk with neighbors about creating a community fund to help cover:

Legal fees for families affected by enforcement actions
Basic needs (rent, food, utilities) if a breadwinner is detained
Mental health support
Emergency childcare

Even small contributions add up when a community comes together.

If the constant news cycle is stressing you out, “Managing Stress, Anxiety, and Depression from the News” shares practical strategies to protect your mental health.

Now Let’s Talk About the Midterms and Why They Matter

Here’s something concrete you can do to change the larger political landscape: vote in the 2026 midterm elections.

Midterms determine who controls Congress. Control of Congress means:

Who investigates federal agency actions
Who controls funding for immigration enforcement
Who can pass legislation protecting immigrant communities
Who confirms federal judges and agency leaders

What you can do now:

Check your voter registration at vote.gov
Mark November 2026 on your calendar
Research candidates’ positions on immigration enforcement and accountability
Volunteer for campaigns that align with your values
Help register voters in your community

Midterms historically have lower turnout than presidential elections, which means your vote has even more weight. If you’re feeling powerless about what’s happening, remember: you get to decide who represents you.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health Through Action

The anxiety and depression so many of us are experiencing right now is real. For marginalized communities, that impact is even more severe.

Taking action by calling representatives, organizing with neighbors, and preparing your community doesn’t eliminate anxiety. But it transforms helplessness into agency. It connects you with others who care. It gives you something constructive to do with the fear.

While you’re showing up for your community, show up for yourself:

Set boundaries with news consumption—stay informed without drowning in it
Connect with friends and family regularly, even just a text
Move your body, walk, hike, yoga, whatever feels good
Get professional help and start therapy if needed

Crisis resources if you need them:

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

Many therapists offer sliding-scale fees. Some specialize in political trauma and working with marginalized communities. If you’re unsure where to start, reach out to us at Inward Healing Therapy for guidance and support in finding the right therapist for you.

Feeling anxious and unsure where to seek help? “Can I Go to Urgent Care for Anxiety?” walks you through options for getting timely support.

We're Stronger Together

What’s happening is scary. But San Diego is a community that shows up for each other. You don’t have to do everything on this list. Pick one thing. Make one phone call on 5calls.org. Join one group chat. Attend one training.

Whatever capacity you have to show up, that’s enough!

You’re not alone in this. Your neighbors are organizing. Your community is preparing. And together, we’re building the safety net we all need right now. Please take care of yourself during these challenging times in any way that feels good to you.

If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, reach out immediately: Call 988, text HOME to 741741, or visit your nearest emergency room.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What should I do if I see ICE activity in my neighborhood?

If you see ICE agents, stay safe first. Document what you can from a distance, note vehicle details, and report it immediately to the San Diego Rapid Response Network at 858-751-7553. Quick, calm communication can help protect your neighbors.

2. How can I organize my neighbors for community safety?

Start small: create a group chat or phone tree, share safety information, and plan how to communicate if an operation is spotted. Agree on roles and consider shared albums for documentation—every bit of organization helps.

3. Do I need legal training to join a rapid response group?

No experience is required. Rapid response groups rely on neighbors who care and communicate quickly. Training like “Know Your Rights” sessions from the Immigration Legal Service Coalition can help you feel more confident.

4. How can I take care of my mental health while staying involved?

Set boundaries with news, connect with friends and family, move your body, and seek professional support if needed. Taking action can reduce helplessness, but self-care is equally important.

5. What resources are available if I or someone I know is affected by enforcement actions?

Local organizations like the Immigration Legal Service Coalition, Jewish Family Service, and Immigrant Defenders Law Center offer legal support, counseling, and emergency resources. Supporting them financially or volunteering can also strengthen the community network.