Perris, California — On June 18, 2025, the First Partner visited the Inland Empire to engage with California communities affected by federal immigration raids initiated during the Trump Administration.
During her visit, the First Partner stopped at TODEC, a nonprofit organization providing essential services to immigrant families. These services include legal support, food distribution, social services, and mental health resources. At TODEC, staff and families impacted by immigration raids shared their experiences. Later in the day, food donations were delivered to farmworkers hesitant to leave their homes due to ongoing ICE raids.
Jennifer Siebel Newsom stated: “I listened to accounts from grandmothers, mothers, and children—of families afraid of leaving their homes, fathers who committed suicide because they were unable to work. This is a campaign of terror on American soil—aimed at some of the hardest working people on earth—and the farms who supply our nation’s food. In addition to being morally unconscionable, the actions of the federal administration are economically disastrous. California is the world’s fifth largest producer of agricultural products. That doesn’t happen without the hands, the hearts, and the labor of immigrant workers.”
Luz Gallegos, Executive Director of TODEC said: “We’re grateful for the First Partner’s compassion and for showing up for this community. She listened and saw firsthand the suffering these families are enduring but also saw their resilience. At a time when too many are turning away from what is happening here, she is leaning in.”
TODEC has been active for nearly four decades as a center for healing and advocacy within rural Inland communities. It operates a crisis hotline and offers connections to mental health support along with home-based deliveries of essentials like groceries and medicine.
The organization has long advocated for commonsense immigration reforms since the Reagan Administration era.
The First Partner has been an advocate for farmers in California and played a role in developing programs such as Farm to School which connects local organic farms with schools across California.
Additionally, under Governor Gavin Newsom’s leadership alongside Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s advocacy efforts in mental health through initiatives like California Youth Behavioral Health Initiative have aimed at making mental health resources accessible statewide.
These efforts include providing free online behavioral health services available in Spanish and English languages.
