Programa Latino supports immigrants living in fear
On a Friday, the client tested positive for HIV on a rapid HIV test. They needed to return for a confirmatory test, follow-up, and case management on Monday–but they never showed up for their appointment.
“They never came back,” said Jorge Zepeda, lead director of community programs at SFAF. “We learned what happened. They needed to go to immigration services to renew their documents, and were detained. And then we learned they were deported back to their country of origin. They were here in the U.S. after leaving their country of origin after being persecuted for their sexual orientation.”
It’s a challenging, and unprecedented, time for our Programa Latino staff, community, and clients–as they navigate the fear and uncertainty defining the current political moment. Although ICE crackdowns in L.A. have captured California headlines, San Francisco has seen a flood of ICE activity as well. At least 30 people have been arrested since late May (and likely many more)–some outside of immigration courtrooms. In early June, 15 people were arrested outside an ICE office, including at least four children (one who was three years old).
Does San Francisco still feel like a sanctuary city, for the thousands of undocumented residents who call our city home?
“The environment is very anti-immigrant right now,” said Eduardo Siequeros, a case manager with Program Latino. “And this is affecting all of us.”
Programa Latino staff and group members learned recently that a San Francisco drag performer Hilary Rivers, a contestant in the 2025 “Miss & Mr. Safe Latino” produced by Instituto Familiar de la Raza and Sí A La Vida, had been detained.
Rivers was detained in an ICE facility outside of San Francisco the day after competing in the 2025 event. Media reports of Rivers’ detainment share that he is a gay immigrant from Central America who has an ongoing case for asylum after experiencing persecution in his home country.
“I’m stressed out–even though I’m a naturalized U.S. citizen with a passport. But because I am an immigrant, my heart palpitates when I see immigration services or ICE agents in Civic Center. Or when I see the police or law enforcement. My heart just wants to jump out of my chest,” said Zepeda.
“My heart hurts,” said Emilia Nazario, outreach coordinator with Programa Latino. “My family members–I see them afraid and scared to go out. I was in the car with my auntie recently, and we had a police officer pass us by. She started shaking afterwards–just scared that they were ICE and were going to stop us. It’s affecting me, and it’s affecting all of us.”
Programa Latino team members say the aggressive efforts to detain and deport immigrants is affecting and impacting the community-building and health services provided by the team.
“People are afraid to leave their homes to access services right now,” said Zepeda. “We do outreach with unhoused people–many who use substances–and the fear is impacting their substance use. There is so much need in the community right now.”
Although the Programa Latino team is small, they’re doing everything they can to support their community. In addition to weekly outreach events providing basic needs and health services and large group social and community support events, team members provide one-on-one support for clients attending court, seeking immigration services, and dismissing criminal convictions.
“That’s what we are here for,” said Zepeda. “We facilitate community empowerment, giving them safe spaces to learn from and connect with each other, and also trying to create some hope. That’s what I admire the most about our community. We are so resilient. Even though many of us are afraid, when we are together, we feel the power.”
