Fear is Ravaging Latino Communities. Solidarity Can Help Us Fight Back.

In Washington, D.C., neighborhoods that once pulsed with music, food vendors, and the chatter of families now feel hollow. Streets in Columbia Heights, normally lined with fruit stands and crowded with delivery drivers, are strikingly empty. Community members, including students from School Without Walls, say the reason is simple: fear.

Over the past few months, the increased presence of national guard troops, local police, and immigration enforcement agents has created a climate of intimidation in our D.C neighborhoods. Latino residents (regardless of their legal status) report avoiding parks, skipping work, and even keeping their children home from school. Our once bustling communities have been stifled by the repressive atmosphere of a police state.

Fearmongering has not only disrupted daily life, it has reshaped entire communities. Representatives from Latino Student Union interviewed an elementary school teacher in Petworth, who has chosen to remain anonymous, about how the immigration patrol presence has shaped her school. She shared with us that, near the end of August, Immigration and Customs Enforcement were stationed and arresting people two blocks away from the school building during pick up times. Though ICE agents lack authorization to enter schools, there are few limits on their ability to detain people just outside school grounds. 

The teacher recalled that the agents’ presence created immense fear within the school community, sharing that, “two mothers were hiding in the school.” She added that, “personally I was very stressed and I started crying.” Her story raises a critical question: Is this the type of atmosphere we want our fellow students, families, and teachers in D.C. to endure at school? 

A Walls student, who asked to remain anonymous, described the constant tension in their community. They explained that many residents avoid coming outside of their houses, leading to a decrease in foot traffic, shopping, and community life. Businesses all over D.C., they said, are suffering as a result. “You never know if you’re going to make it back home,” the student reflected, adding that people have grown accustomed to leaving the house tense, sharing their locations, and checking in with one another simply to feel safe.

These fears are not isolated, they are tied to broader federal policies. Mass deportation goals and the visible militarization of neighborhoods have blurred the line between immigration enforcement and community life.

The impact is everywhere. Restaurants struggle to retain staff. Street vendors sell less because their usual customers stay home. Day laborers, who often wait for work near hardware stores, are singled out for questioning. The ripple effects extend beyond Latino communities, draining the vibrancy, economic activity, and cultural life that define D.C.

Yet amid this repression, resilience persists. Community organizations, churches, advocacy groups, and student groups are stepping up. Legal clinics host “know your rights” workshops, and networks of neighbors share information to ensure no one feels alone. Latino Student Union is working to make this knowledge more accessible, creating outreach projects to spread awareness of residents’ rights, whether citizens, immigrants, or bystanders. By interviewing community members, including teachers and fellow students, LSU is documenting the real impact of fear while also amplifying voices too often ignored.

Still, the question remains: What kind of city do we want to be? Will we allow fear to silence our streets and classrooms, or will we stand with the families and workers who make D.C. thrive?

Columbia Heights, Petworth, and other neighborhoods remind us of a simple truth: fear reshapes communities, but solidarity can help fight back. In times like these, even small acts of support matter. Whether documenting ICE sightings, noting badge numbers, or sharing “Know Your Rights” material, students and neighbors can help restore trust and hope where fear has taken hold.