Social Lab: Fear by Design: ICE Tactics, Impact & What We Can Do About It
March 2, 2026 | 5:30–6:30 PM
Location: Biergarten 11 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Hosted by: Democratic Women of Santa Barbara County
Free Event | Open to the Public
Across the United States, immigration enforcement tactics are increasingly structured around visibility and intimidation — including sudden raids, masked and heavily armed officers, limited transparency, and arrests that reverberate through entire communities.
While national coverage often centers on political debate, the lived impact is local. Families face uncertainty. Schools experience disruption. Community trust is strained. Public safety conversations become more complex.
This Social Lab is designed to bring clarity and grounded understanding to these local realities. Rather than amplifying fear, we will examine:
- What specific ICE tactics look like in practice
- How these tactics affect community safety and trust in Santa Barbara County
- The legal rights individuals hold during enforcement encounters
- How local leaders and organizations are responding
- Concrete ways residents can support humane, accountable policy
Featured Speakers
Laura Capps
A countywide policy and public-safety perspective.
Primitiva Hernandez
Community support, rapid response networks, and local resources.
Immigrant Legal Defense Center
Legal insight on enforcement practices, rights, and due process.
As with all DemWomen Social Labs, this session is structured to foster connection, informed dialogue, and civic action. Participants will leave with practical language, local resource awareness, and meaningful ways to engage.
We invite you to join us for an evening of learning, solidarity, and community leadership.