Webinar: Frontlines of Immigration, from Local to National

Contributors: Lynne Lancaster, Catalyst Fund Development Chair; Marney Malik, Catalyst Fund Grants Co-Chair; Vicki Handron, Founding Attorney of Sonoma Immigrant Services; Angela Ryan, Catalyst Fund Executive Director

Executive Summary: 

This discussion provided a comprehensive overview of the Sonoma Valley Catalyst Fund’s recent grantmaking to support immigrant communities, alongside expert insights from Vicki Handron of Sonoma Immigrant Services on the rapidly shifting immigration policy landscape and its local impacts. The conversation underscored both the growing uncertainty facing immigrant families due to federal policy changes, and the tangible outcomes of coordinated philanthropic investment in the Valley.

In 2025, Catalyst responded quickly and strategically to emerging needs, deploying a total of $365,000 in grants. Initial emergency funding in early 2025 enabled frontline organizations to respond to heightened demand for information and services following the election. Additional grants in the spring supported program adaptation amid changing conditions, while fall funding focused on removal defense. 

These investments produced measurable results: 

• approximately 2,370 individuals received Know Your Rights training 

• more than 150 businesses were engaged in workforce education

• about 300 families completed preparedness planning 

Legal outcomes included 81 individuals achieving citizenship and 684 receiving immigration-related legal assistance. Training for youth-serving staff also addressed rising fear and anxiety among immigrant families.

Beyond direct services, Catalyst funding helped foster greater coordination among service providers. Organizations are now meeting regularly to align efforts, reduce duplication, and prepare for potential large-scale enforcement actions. This collaboration has already expanded regionally, drawing participation from countywide entities and serving as a potential model for replication in other locations. 

It is estimated there are about 14M people in the US without legal status, about 2M in CA, and almost 40,000 in Sonoma County.  Many families consist of those with varying types of status.  While Sonoma Valley has not experienced the large-scale immigration raids seen elsewhere, the local immigrant community remains in crisis due to policy shifts and funding changes. Coordination and preparedness are identified as the most essential factors for  resilience.

While immigration law is set by Congress, enforcement priorities shift significantly between presidential administrations, leading to what was described as “policy whiplash.” Decades without comprehensive reform have resulted in a complex system heavily influenced by executive action. Recent policy changes have intensified enforcement, expanded detention, and introduced new barriers to legal immigration processes. These include detaining individuals during routine immigration appointments, reducing privacy protections for humanitarian applicants, limiting work authorizations, and increasing scrutiny in naturalization cases. 

Compared to earlier periods, current enforcement strategies are broader and less targeted, often driven by quotas rather than prioritization of serious criminal offenses. Simultaneously, access to legal pathways is narrowing through greatly increased fees, processing delays, and policy mechanisms that prevent cases from being heard. For example, asylum approval rates in San Francisco have dropped dramatically, and court backlogs—combined with the planned closure of the local immigration court leaving upwards of 120,000 pending cases—are further limiting access to due process.

At the local level, California’s protective policies provide some safeguards, such as limits on cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. However, these protections are partial, and the state’s large immigrant population also makes it a focal point for federal enforcement. In Sonoma County, logistical factors—such as the absence of nearby detention facilities—have so far limited large-scale operations, though individual detentions have increased significantly and can escalate quickly.

Behavioral changes within immigrant communities are already evident. Many individuals are opting not to pursue legal status despite eligibility, due to fear of detention. There is a decline in people seeking medical care or reporting crimes, and increased vulnerability to exploitation in workplaces and domestic situations. Legal service providers are adapting by shifting resources toward deportation defense, family preparedness (including guardianship and asset protection), and expanded citizenship services for those eligible. However, these changes come with increased costs and complexity.

Looking ahead to 2026, the outlook remains uncertain and concerning. Anticipated trends include further restrictions on both legal and undocumented immigration, reduced access to work authorizations, and growing economic and social strain on families and communities. Some individuals are already considering self-deportation, raising complex questions about family stability and long-term legal consequences.

The discussion concluded with a call to action emphasizing the importance of staying informed, supporting trusted organizations, and engaging in civic processes. 

Despite the challenges, participants stressed that coordinated local efforts, access to accurate information, and community support can help mitigate harm. Allies can…

• Become informed; be mindful of rhetoric and “fake news” 

• Support local organizations; find ways to get involved. 

• Write your representatives

• Comment on Federal Register rule changes 

  • (https://www.ilrc.org/community-resources/how-submit-comment-federal-regulations)

• Encourage power over panic:  information is power, education is action

In a climate of rapid change, the guiding principle remains clear: informed, collective action is essential to protecting and supporting immigrant communities.