photo credit: Shandra Back
Protesters gather in downtown Santa Rosa on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025.

 Around 100 people gathered in Santa Rosa’s Old Courthouse Square for a bilingual community vigil, part of a nationwide day of action protesting a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision.

The vigil was led by the Graton Day Labor Center, an organization that connects day laborers and domestic workers with employment opportunities.

Earlier this month, the court ruled to continue allowing federal immigration agents to conduct workplace enforcement actions based on factors like appearance, language, and type of job. Critics say it allows racial profiling.

In a September 8 statement, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called the ruling, "a win for the safety of Californians" and "the rule of law."

McLaughlin said, DHS enforcement will not be slowed in its efforts to remove what she described as “murderers, rapists, gang members, and other criminal illegal aliens." 

"We didn’t come here to steal from anyone or cause harm," said Biktoria Pacheco, a worker with the Graton Day Labor Center. “You can’t generalize the bad behavior of a few, because we’re not all like that.”

Out of the crowd that formed, most weren’t day laborers or domestic workers, they were other members of the community. Pacheco said, seeing U.S. citizens show up gives her and others strength.

“It shows that not everyone agrees with the injustices," Pacheco said. "Even those who aren’t directly affected also care, value and respect immigrant workers.”

And besides showing up in solidarity, what can people do to support immigrant workers right now?

Graton lead organizer Karym Sanchez replied, “Hire them.”