Cavan/Depositphotos Federal agents raid California anti-ICE activist homes Federal agents searched four Ventura County locations early Wednesday morning, targeting people connected to VC Defensa, a volunteer-led immigrant rights group. The locations included Leo Martinez’s home and business, along with the homes of two other current or former VC Defensa volunteers. VC Defensa and its attorney described the searches as retaliatory and part of an intimidation campaign tied to the group’s monitoring of immigration enforcement activity. No arrests were made, but agents seized electronics and VC Defensa-branded items during the operation. cupertino/Depositphotos Leo Martinez home among four targets searched Leo Martinez’s home and business were among four Ventura County locations searched early Wednesday morning, with Martinez saying he was awakened around 3 a.m. by federal agents outside his home. He told reporters that agents pointed guns at him and his mother and held them at gunpoint for about two hours. No arrests were made during the searches, and Martinez was not taken into custody that morning. He said the group had nothing to hide and that its messages would show no unlawful activity. Mehaniq/Depositphotos VC Defensa documents immigration raids in Ventura County VC Defensa is a volunteer-led group in Ventura County that monitors and documents immigration enforcement activity. Reporting describes the group as organizing ICE-watch patrols, running a rapid-response hotline, alerting residents to ICE sightings, and supporting immigrant families. Members say they operate within legal boundaries while observing federal immigration enforcement actions in their area. Martinez has said the group works openly and has denied illegal activity. Depositphotos Items seized include electronics and group merchandise Agents seized cellphones, laptops, T-shirts, skateboard decks, and other items bearing or associated with the VC Defensa logo during the early morning searches. DHS said several items were seized as part of search warrants executed by Homeland Security Investigations. Reports also cited inventory records showing additional items taken from Martinez’s studio, including a USB drive, a phone, skateboards, knives, and a riot shield. VC Defensa’s attorney questioned the searches and said agents denied her access to group members during the operation. Depositphotos Activists allege ongoing harassment campaign by federal agents VC Defensa members describe the raid as part of an ongoing harassment campaign, including being followed home and prank calls. They held a news conference to publicize these intimidation tactics against their volunteer organization. Attorney Reem Yassin said agents threatened to arrest her when she requested access to group members during searches. The group is now considering legal action against the Department of Homeland Security for this treatment. rafapress/Depositphotos DHS confirms warrants executed but cites ongoing investigation A Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed search warrants were executed on May 13 targeting individuals associated with an anti-ICE organization. The agency stated several members had previously been arrested for ambushing law enforcement officers violently. DHS declined to answer questions about whether the raids retaliated against the group’s monitoring activities legally. The agency cited an ongoing investigation and said it cannot provide additional details to protect its integrity fully. Depositphotos Previous arrests cited but no current charges filed DHS stated several VC Defensa members faced prior arrests for ambushing federal law enforcement and destroying government property intentionally. However, Martinez said he has been arrested twice without ever facing formal charges against him. Last October, Martinez was arrested following a video showing agents appearing to ram his truck with an SUV. His attorneys say he remains uncharged despite federal claims that he was the aggressor in that incident. cpenler/Depositphotos Activists rally in downtown Los Angeles against federal persecution Activists and supporters gathered outside the federal building in Los Angeles on May 14, the day after the searches, to denounce the federal operation targeting VC Defensa volunteers. Speakers framed the searches as intimidation against immigrant rights organizers and called for continued community defense work. Leo Martinez and other VC Defensa supporters said the group would continue organizing despite the federal investigation. VC Defensa leaders also said they would keep monitoring immigration enforcement activity in Ventura County. joasouza/Depositphotos Warrants authorized seizure of evidence on conspiracy allegations Search warrants for Martinez’s home and business authorized agents to seize evidence related to alleged conspiracies to impede or injure federal officers or destroy government property. The Guardian reported that it reviewed those warrants after the May 13 searches. The broader investigation cited in reporting centers on allegations involving two volunteers accused of planning a roadblock and throwing rocks at federal vehicles during protests over the July 2025 Glass House Farms raids. Martinez has denied illegal activity and said the group’s messages would show it had nothing to hide. thenews2.com/Depositphotos Trump administration emphasizes prosecution for assaulting officers The DHS statement emphasized that under President Trump, anyone assaulting law enforcement officers will face full prosecution legally. This message accompanied their official announcement about the executed search warrants targeting activists on Wednesday morning. Federal officials framed the operation as part of stricter enforcement against attacks on immigration agents nationwide. The administration has consistently taken a hardline stance on protecting federal law enforcement personnel from harm. serggn/Depositphotos Attorney denied access and threatened with arrest during searches Reem Yassin said federal agents refused to allow her access to VC Defensa members during the searches. She also said agents threatened her with arrest when she sought access and told her to prove she was their attorney. Yassin said both she and the group members told officers they had attorney-client relationships. Her account added to concerns raised by VC Defensa and its supporters about how the searches were conducted. Little-known fact: Undocumented immigrant arrivals to the U.S. have fallen sharply since 2023. Depositphotos Immigrant advocates face death threats and diminished funding Immigrant advocates involved in deportation-related work have reported death threats, Republican-led probes, and a diminished funding base. Los Angeles immigrant rights groups have described the pressure as intense as enforcement tensions continue. Separate Los Angeles Times reporting found that fear of ICE raids continued to affect business at some Latino-owned shopping centers in Southern California nearly a year after raids began. Business owners and landlords said shoppers were avoiding or shortening visits because of enforcement fears. A wider shift in immigration enforcement strategy is emerging nationwide, with potential expansion of ICE operations into more than 40 states signaling a major escalation. Depositphotos Brian Foster is a native to San Diego and Phoenix areas. He enjoys great food, music, and traveling. He specializes and stays up to date on the latest technology trends.