MONTEREY BAY—Immigration enforcement leaves more than just an empty chair at the head of the table. When a head of household is detained, a family is thrown into chaos—losing not only income but also the caregiving stability children and elders depend on. Families are left facing eviction notices, unpaid bills, childcare gaps, and the uncertainty of legal proceedings. All while navigating immigration proceedings that may ultimately still result in deportation.
Community Bridges is stepping in to support local families with Puentes Para Familias, a new Emergency Family Aid Fund. The fund, created with generous seed funding from Sunlight Giving, provides up to $2,500 per household to help families bridge financial gaps while they reorganize and make longer-term plans.
“The detention of a parent or caregiver creates havoc for the entire family. Children face disrupted schooling, caregivers struggle to pay rent, and households lose the very person who provided for them,” said Raymon Cancino, Chief Executive Officer of Community Bridges. “Our goal isn’t to replace every dollar lost — we can’t — but we can alleviate some of the immediate worry while families regroup.”
The Puentes Para Familias program provides direct relief for urgent needs such as:
- Bond support to help bring loved ones home
- Rent and utilities to prevent eviction or shutoffs
- Childcare and caregiving to keep children safe and elders supported
- Transportation and legal costs to ensure families can get to court
While $2,500 per household offers crucial breathing room, the reality is that most families’ expenses far exceed this amount. Immigration bonds alone often run between $6,000 and $8,500 nationally—far out of reach for households already struggling below the local Area Median Income.
Since the start of 2025, ICE has made reportedly more than 100,000 arrests nationwide—a rate that experts and government data confirm is moving at an unprecedented pace in recent years. According to figures from the Department of Homeland Security and independent reporting, ICE recorded over 32,000 arrests in the first 50 days of the new administration and more than 65,000 within its first 100 days — roughly double the daily average of the past decade. While total enforcement numbers for 2025 have not yet been released, the available data indicate a sharp surge compared to prior years, when annual arrests typically ranged from 100,000 to 150,000. This acceleration marks a significant shift in immigration enforcement priorities.
Locally, there have been reports of at least three ICE-related arrests in Santa Cruz County and four in Monterey County this year, while no confirmed ICE arrests have surfaced in San Benito County, according to media outlets and community reports. It is important to stress that these figures do not stem from comprehensive law enforcement disclosures or ICE records, but rather from local news coverage, sheriff or city police statements, and community reporting — and thus likely undercount the full scope of activity.
A recent survey conducted through the Community Bridges Family Resource Collective sites in Watsonville, Live Oak, Santa Cruz and Felton, polling families across Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties, reveals deep concern about immigration enforcement and policy uncertainty—but also strong interest in preparedness and education. While not all respondents were undocumented, over 90% expressed fear of deportation and its impacts, with nearly one in three reporting being “extremely scared.”
That’s why Community Bridges is calling on the broader community to come together in the spirit of mutual aid.
“This program is designed to bridge the gap, not fill it entirely,” said Robert Re, Interim Program Director for the Family Resource Centers. “We need neighbors, faith communities, and donors to stand with us. Together, we can make sure no child in Santa Cruz, Monterey, or San Benito is left without food, housing, or care simply because their parent was taken away.”
Community Bridges invites community members to contribute to the Emergency Family Aid Fund. Every dollar goes directly to stabilizing a local family in crisis.
Donate or learn more at: give.communitybridges.org/Puentes
About Community Bridges
Community Bridges envisions a thriving community where every person has the opportunity to unleash their full potential. Together, our family of programs delivers essential services, provides equitable access to resources, and advocates for health and dignity across every stage of life. To learn more, please visit www.communitybridges.org.
