The recent federal immigration sweeps in Orange County, as detailed in Voice of OC‘s article What Happens to Orange County’s Disappeared?, underscore a growing crisis in how our nation approaches immigration. While there is broad consensus that our immigration system is broken and in need of serious reform, the methods currently being deployed—marked by secrecy, fear, and disruption—are not the solution. They are deepening the problem.
Immigration is a complex and longstanding challenge. We need policies that are humane, effective, and reflective of both the rule of law and the values we hold as a nation. But the way immigration enforcement is playing out in Orange County today is not only ineffective—it’s cruel.
Families are being torn apart with little to no information shared, communities are left in confusion, and individuals disappear without notice. The silence from federal agencies, including ICE, heightens anxiety within already vulnerable communities. Many families are left in a state of panic, unsure of how to safeguard their children or protect their livelihoods.
At Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC), where I serve as President & CEO, we see firsthand how fear is disrupting lives. Some of the families we serve are so scared they are skipping food distributions and essential services. They would rather go hungry than risk being seen. That’s not the kind of community we should aspire to be—and it’s not sustainable for a society that relies on the strength of every one of its members.
Immigrant families have always played an essential role in Orange County’s economy and culture. Nearly 30% of our residents are foreign-born. Immigrants are foundational to sectors like agriculture, construction, caregiving, and hospitality. But they’re also small business owners, faith leaders, and parents raising the next generation. They are part of the vibrant fabric of our community.
While we acknowledge the need for immigration policy reform—including stronger pathways to legal status, border management, and modernization of our immigration courts—we must also reject tactics that dehumanize or disappear people in the name of policy.
The lack of transparency surrounding these recent sweeps only adds to the sense of chaos and fear. As the article pointed out, families are often given no information about where their loved ones are taken. The absence of communication from federal authorities leaves a vacuum that local communities and service organizations must scramble to fill.
Local leaders must step up. We need proactive outreach, know-your-rights campaigns, and a coordinated safety net that ensures families are not left to suffer in silence. At CAP OC, we remain committed to providing that support—through food, housing assistance, education, and advocacy.
Immigration must be addressed—but not at the expense of human dignity. The path forward must be built on solutions, not silence. Justice, not fear. We call on our federal, state, and local partners to ensure that while we work to fix the system, we do not break the spirit of those who are a vital part of our community.
Let’s work together to build an Orange County—and a country—where every resident has the opportunity to live, contribute, and thrive with dignity.
Gregory C. Scott is President and CEO of Community Action Partnership Orange County (CAP OC), a Garden Grove-based nonprofit working to stabilize, sustain and empower individuals and families out of poverty. He resides in La Palma, CA.
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