Valley Farm Worker Speaks Out Amid Rising Immigration Raids and Fear of Family Separation

The growing presence of immigration enforcement in the Coachella Valley is causing deep concern among immigrant families—many of whom are now making painful daily decisions to avoid possible detention or deportation.

Norma, a farm worker who has lived and worked in the valley for more than 20 years, has not left her home in weeks. She told NBC Palm Springs she fears stepping outside could result in being taken away from her children.

“I feel like a criminal just walking out the door,” Norma says. Her husband, also a farm worker, made the difficult choice to work up north to support the family, despite the risks. “In case something happens to him, I have to stay with the kids. There’s no one else.”

Their son, who has autism, has missed therapy sessions due to her fear of immigration activity. Their daughter, now in college studying law, also lives with the stress of never knowing if her father will return home at night.

Norma says the fear is especially heartbreaking after years of hard work. “We were considered essential workers during the pandemic. We paid our taxes. We followed the law. Now, we live in hiding.”

As immigration operations continue across the valley, families like Norma’s can only hope for safety—and to stay together.