Garcia arrived at the scene after a tip through the SBResiste rapid response network, a Santa Barbara-based grassroots organization that aims to protect immigrant communities in light of aggressive United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) activity. She had initially planned to meet up with someone monitoring a different I.C.E. vehicle, but received another report about the presence on State Street and Carillo Street and decided to investigate alone before additional responders were able to arrive.

After searching the area, Garcia entered a building and spotted I.C.E. agents ascending the stairs to the Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor (S.C.R.A.M.) office and followed them to observe and document. As she began walking up the stairs to reach the I.C.E. agents, she claimed that they immediately accused her of impeding their activity.

According to federal law, impeding an I.C.E. officer involves active physical obstruction, assault, resistance, opposition or intimidation of officers during enforcement actions. Filming or observing I.C.E. officers is protected by the First Amendment under the condition that it does not prevent them from working.

✍️: Lucy Wellons
📸: The Santa Barbara Independent