Hundreds Protest ICE Activity and Trump’s Immigration Policies at Santa Barbara’s Milpas Roundabout

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Hundreds of people of all ages gathered at the Milpas roundabout in Santa Barbara on Friday, chanting, “Sí, se puede! Sí, se puede! Sí, se puede!”

Protests were held across the Central Coast in response to recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement sightings and in opposition to President Donald Trump’s immigration deportation policies.

Many participants held signs and flags, while others distributed informational cards and shared resources with passersby.

“Continue to protest, continue to spread the word, and give as much information as possible to those out there who can’t speak English,” said organizer Victor Rios. “And since resources that are available in Spanish are being removed, we’ve got to step up and provide them.”

The protest continued late into Friday night, causing traffic congestion at the roundabout, according to an alert from the Santa Barbara Police Department. By 10:15 p.m., police said the protest had ended and the roundabout had reopened.

805 Undocufund, a nonprofit assisting immigrants, has reported ICE activity in multiple local cities in recent days, including Oxnard, Santa Paula, Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Lompoc.

“It’s heartbreaking to see these realities unfold, which is why we wanted to be proactive and help find a solution,” said organizer Briana Rios.

One protester, who asked to remain anonymous, shared why he felt it was important to attend.

“We’re here to support our people. I mean, most of our families came from immigrants. It’s good to be part of something we stand up for.”

More than 3,500 undocumented immigrants have been arrested or detained across the United States since Trump returned to the White House. The administration says it is prioritizing criminals for deportation.

A recent Reuters poll found that 48% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of immigration, while 41% disapprove.