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Unless you’ve been living under a rock, immigrants have been targeted in Santa Ana and neighboring cities. Since June, ICE raids have shaken the city, leaving lasting impacts.
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We just dropped a new issue of el Don—and it’s unlike any we’ve ever done before. This issue focuses the community. We’ve been here on the ground, reporting on residents protesting federal occupation, helping those who have been targeted in any way they can and showing up despite the dangers.
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With nearly a quarter of the population being noncitizens, the act of reporting feels like an act of resistance during this time. That’s why we decided to compile all our work from the last 3 months into a special issue.
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You can read the issue online (and download a PDF version) here!
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These stories are important. Be part of the conversation and forward this email.
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Editors Geo and Ash, Fall 2025
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News 🔎
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A room full of organizers, leaders and active community members listened intently and engaged in important dialogue about how to defend themselves and their neighbors against U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Santa Ana City Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez organized the ICE Community Defense Conference at Santa Ana College in direct response to the high presence of ICE agents in the city …
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Once a month in Downtown Santa Ana, amidst the seemingly quiet streets, the Punk Rock Market appears. The Punk Rock Market is an event that features local bands, DJs, handmade vendors and more. You can find anything from clothing to press-on nails to patches displaying iconic punk figures. The market has become a staple for punks from all walks of …
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Impacted by the presence of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, residents of Santa Ana and other neighboring cities looked to one another for support. Early June 2025 marked the beginning of ICE activity, sparking panic and fear from the streets to homes. Within a week, community members organized protests and workshops to stand up in solidarity with immigrants. While …
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In the Streetđź“·
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A sea of Mexican and United States flags waved back and forth, with picket signs and middle fingers held high as people chanted “ICE out of OC” and “ICE out of Santa Ana” over quinceañera music in Downtown Santa Ana on Wednesday. In the early evening, several hundred people took to the streets to peacefully protest the ICE raids targeting …
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Thousands of people marched through East L.A. and demanded justice for the Latino troops drafted and killed during the Vietnam War at the Chicano Moratorium 55 years ago. Last Saturday, the Community Service Organization Orange County held its own Chicano Moratorium. Members of the community watched original music, poetry and dance performances at El Centro Cultural De MĂ©xico. Organizers also …
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A diverse range of Latino communities from Guatemala, to El Salvador to Mexico, crowded together at Fiesta Patrias to celebrate Mexican Independence Day and Hispanic culture through tasty pupusas, bailes folklĂłrico and escaramuza dresses. According to the city of Santa Ana's public affairs information officer, Paul Eskins, over 80,000 attendees packed into the Santa Ana downtown area for two days, …
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Even with the recent presence of ICE in and around Orange County, people from Santa Ana and beyond gathered on Fourth Street to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. Attendees waved Mexican flags, wore traditional clothing and danced bailes folklĂłrico to show pride in their culture and traditions. The colorful weekend festivities showed solidarity within the community through food, music and fun.
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Views đź’
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Reporting on sensitive issues is always a struggle. There are a lot of ethical questions that need to be addressed. El Don’s staff has struggled to properly document historical moments happening in Santa Ana and neighboring cities. While we have tried our best to keep up-to-date with city protests, festivals and college events, there are issues affecting the immigrant community …
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The decisions made by public officials directly impact you and your neighbors. Whether or not you attend public meetings, your tax dollars are being spent. So it’s your responsibility to attend public meetings and keep democracy alive. Elected officials are public servants; their job is to serve the people. And it is the responsibility of the city’s residents to remind …
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In the last decade, the ongoing redevelopment of the downtown area has led to changes that have turned this city into something I no longer recognize. The city has always had updates, but lately, instead of making space for the old and new, they displace and replace. As a child, walking down La Cuatro filled me with joy. On Sunday …
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