Dear Boyle Heights Beat family,
The past week has shaken the heart of our community.
Federal immigration enforcement operations on our streets have brought uncertainty and a deep sense of fear. Families are holding each other tighter. Neighbors are asking difficult questions. And through it all, this community continues to show its strength.
We’ve worked around the clock to help you stay informed. We documented the ICE raids that began last Friday, the arrest of labor leader David Huerta and the peaceful protest that followed at Mariachi Plaza.
We’ve reported on how ICE’s presence is affecting local businesses—vendors at El Mercadito seeing fewer customers, families staying home instead of shopping on César Chávez. We were also on the scene Wednesday when federal agents rammed a vehicle on Whittier Boulevard, leaving a woman and children in shock as they arrested a U.S. citizen.
We’ve also shared resources—from legal aid information to ways you can help your neighbors.
What you can expect from us moving forward.
In times like these, local journalism isn’t just important—it’s essential.
Our values guide everything we do: We believe in the power of community storytelling. We believe every resident of Boyle Heights—regardless of immigration status—deserves to have their story told with respect and accuracy. We believe in transparency, accountability and the fundamental right of our community to know what’s happening in their own neighborhood.
We’re also human. We’re processing this trauma alongside you, checking on our own families, and sometimes we need to step back to breathe. If you don’t hear from us for a few hours, it’s because we’re taking care of ourselves so we can continue taking care of this work. I hope you’re doing the same.
Looking Ahead
As we move forward, we’re committed to several key initiatives:
Know Your Rights Coverage: We’ll continue partnering with local organizations to share crucial information about immigration rights, what to do during ICE encounters, and how to prepare your family.
Economic Impact Reporting: We’ll document how these enforcement actions affect our local economy, from the vendors at El Mercadito who’ve seen foot traffic drop to the businesses that have relied on—and thrived because of— immigrant workers.
Community Voices: We’ll amplify the stories of resilience, resistance and mutual aid that make Boyle Heights strong. Your experiences matter, and they deserve to be heard.
Accountability Journalism: We’ll continue pressing for answers from federal, state and local officials about enforcement tactics, community safety, and the protection of constitutional rights.
Resource Sharing: We’ll serve as a hub for practical information—from legal aid contacts to community support services.
We know that some of you may be afraid to speak with journalists right now. We understand. When you’re ready to share your story, we’ll be here. When you’re not ready, we’ll respect that too. We follow ethical guidelines to protect sources and will always discuss with you how to tell your story safely.
If there’s a story you think needs to be told, a resource that could help your neighbors, or an issue you want us to dig deeper into, we want to hear from you. Your voice helps guide our reporting.
Stay safe,
Jessica Perez
Senior Editor