Immigration Crisis: Activists hold Christmas carol protest at Concord, California Home Deport over ICE activity
We have already seen ICE activity ramp up throughout the Bay Area this year.
On Wednesday, community activists are rallied at the Concord Home Deport over immigration and deportation concerns related to ICE.
Home Depot parking lots have often served as informal hiring site for day laborers.
But now, fewer people are showing up, according to Betty Gabaldon with the Concord Immigrant Protection Network.
"People are just scared. But they still have to go out there to look for work. They still have bills to pay. Rent to pay," Gabaldon said.
MORE: Dozens of protesters arrested after chaining themselves in front of San Francisco ICE building
The Concord Immigrant Protection Network is a newly formed volunteer organization that educates on immigrant rights. Volunteers are now using their voice for a holiday caroling protest targeted at Home Depot, accusing the company of collaborating with ICE by allowing the agency to stage in its parking lots.
"We are here to spread cheer, not fear. We are seeing those all over the country, where ICE has conducted raids at the property of Home Depot. We are seeing people, just by being present, being, chased, assaulted," she said.
Gabaldon said Concord has a large population of undocumented workers. Last year, an immigration court opened in Concord, which has been a flashpoint for immigration raids and confrontations between protesters and ICE agents. Gabaldon said all that is weighing on the community.
"Mental health is one of the issues. Housing is big issue, too. Their hours are being cut. Also, work has slowed down. So, they are having a lot of problems right now, even going to the store to buy food," Gabaldon said.
For its part, Home Depot is pushing back on the allegations.
MORE: Immigrant rights groups protest, demand Marin Co. Sheriff's Office stop cooperating with ICE
In a statement to ABC7 News, George Lane, with Home Depot Corporate Communications, wrote: "We legally cannot interfere with federal enforcement agencies, including preventing them from coming into our stores and parking lots. We aren't notified that immigration enforcement activities are going to happen, and we aren't involved in the operations."
In response, Gabaldon said silence is complicity and that it is Home Depot's responsibility to do more.
"They have not denounced any of the raids that have happened in their parking lots. Even if they say they are not working with ICE, for them being silent and not condemning their raids, that means a lot," she said.
There have been no reports of any ICE raids at the Concord Home Depot located on Meridan Park Boulevard, where the caroling protest took place. They protested at that location because there has been ICE activity in Concord.
