US-Mexico Border Program staff Danielle Cosmes (left) and Adriana Jasso join community partners at a 2025 rally for immigrant rights in San Diego. Nathaniel Doubleday
The USMBP also incorporates a narrative change component to our work. Each year, we respond to over 400 inquiries from media about immigration and border issues. Media includes local, regional, national, and international outlets, including radio, online, live, pre-recorded TV, and print sources.
Below are some highlights of our work.
Border wall at Whiskey 8 Nathaniel Doubleday
Work concludes at Whiskey 8
In 2025, AFSC concluded our work at Whiskey 8, the site where Border Patrol agents forced thousands of migrants to wait for transport before being processed. AFSC staff and hundreds of volunteers supported that work and kept it going during morning and late-night shifts.
Their tasks included offering food and water to people seeking asylum and caring for their injuries. Without a doubt, AFSC staff, colleagues from sister organizations, and community volunteers who spent hours serving people there saved lives.
Two mothers cook chuleta and guisado de pollo for their families on the community kitchen stove. Danielle Cosmes
Collective of migrant mothers in San Diego builds community
Mutual Aid for Moms is a collective comprised of migrant mothers and volunteers based in San Diego who are organizing for food sovereignty and dignified housing in the face of persecution by US immigration forces.
At a roundtable conversation hosted by AFSC, one mother asks, “What am I going to do if they take me while my kids are at school?” Read more from Danielle Cosmes of AFSC.
New ICE leadership brings more violence, little accountability and zero oversight
Pedro Rios of AFSC writes: In late October, rumblings about a major reorganization within the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement agencies pointed to the U.S. Border Patrol usurping top command posts in the leadership of Immigration and Customs Enforcement….
Once complete, Border Patrol’s power grab of its sister agency will likely mark a dramatic shift in how immigration agents conduct enforcement operations. Don’t expect improvements. Read more.
Pedro Rios speaks to KPBS TV. KPBS TV
Speaking out for immigrant rights and democracy
(From September) Recently, dozens of residents gathered in downtown San Diego to protest ICE agents and National Guard in communities. Organized by local community organizations, the rally also voiced concerns about threats to First Amendment rights.
“For people that are living in fear, it's important for them to hear and to see that people are willing to stick their necks out during a political climate that's extremely dangerous for people to do so,” said Pedro Rios of AFSC. See also Pedro’s recent op-ed on the US Supreme Court’s ruling on racial profiling.
Adriana Jasso speaks with NBC 7 in San Diego.
AFSC decries staggering budget for detention, deportation
In this August TV interview, Adriana Jasso of AFSC says many of the people welcomed at the border over the past several years are now being targeted in courtrooms. The $165 billion included in the recent budget bill for immigration enforcement is an “exaggerated amount of money. There is no way to understand the magnitude of what the resources are going to be allocated or how they’re going to be used.”
Benjamin Prado of AFSC and Unión del Barrio members prepare for a community patrol in San Diego.
Patrolling communities to protect against immigration raids
AFSC staff supported community patrol efforts led by the San Diego-based organization Unión del Barrio with the objective of preventing ICE and Border Patrol from abducting community members. During the early morning hours, AFSC staff joined the patrols to help document immigration raids and to alert community patrols of the presence of immigration agencies.
AFSC staff has also passed out know-your-rights information, supported trainings for the patrols, and provided cameras to patrol volunteers.
An ICE raid on May 30 in the South Park neighborhood in San Diego Pedro Rios
Community resists ICE raid in San Diego
In early June, AFSC and partners joined together to condemn an ICE raid at a popular restaurant in San Diego. CBS8 reported: Community outrage erupted quickly after the incident. Pedro Rios, of AFSC, noted that neighborhood residents gathered almost immediately to protest the raid.
"It was quite clear that there was just a complete rejection by the community of the federal agents conducting this in their community and neighborhood," he said.
At an anniversary of Anastasio’s death Pedro Rios
Victory! International tribunal condemns U.S. border officials for killing
In 2010, U.S. border agents brutally beat and killed Anastasio Rojas, a San Diego father of five. AFSC has supported his family’s quest for justice since. In 2016, Anastasio’s widow and attorneys brought their case to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
They argued that the United States’ “use of force” laws violate international human rights standards. In 2025, the commission ruled that border officials were responsible for Anastasio’s death. They also called for reopening the investigation and implementing sweeping reforms.
At a press conference denouncing the El Cajon workplace raid Pedro Rios
Speaking truth to power via the media
(From April) AFSC staff in San Diego are trusted sources for stories about human rights and self-determination for migrant communities. Recent articles include comments from Benjamin Prado on the terror faced by immigrant communities; Adriana Jasso on the need for people to have a safe way to present themselves for an asylum claim; and Pedro Rios on the dangers of sea crossings.
Pedro Rios
Communities resist bill to narrow California’s Sanctuary Law
(From March) Pedro Rios of AFSC reports that a small group of elected officials held a press event recently to announce legislation that would violate the wishes of Californians and existing state law as upheld by the 9th Circuit in 2019. “Our communities came together - from the north, east, and south County,” Pedro says.
He adds, “Unionized workers, service providers, students and educators, organizers, moms and dads - and despite being harassed by rightwing youtubers - we stood for dignity and against bigotry and hate.”
Pedro Rios receives the Ashley Walker Social Justice Award.
San Diego celebrates Pedro Rios for his decades of service
At its 37th Annual All People’s Celebration, Alliance San Diego honored Pedro Rios of AFSC with its Ashley Walker Award. “This award goes to someone who embodies the spirit of advocacy, justice and compassion,” the Alliance said.
“Pedro is a tireless leader and fearless human rights advocate who has dedicated his life to uplifting communities at the US-Mexico border.” Pedro thanked his AFSC colleagues and family -- and recognized the work of global human rights defenders. The presentation begins at the 39:00 mark of this video.
Pedro Rios on PoliticsNation with Rev. Al Sharpton
Organizing to keep loved ones together
(From January) President-elect Trump has pledged to begin mass deportations efforts soon after taking office. In this interview on MSNBC’s PolicticsNation with the Rev. Al Sharpton, Pedro Rios of AFSC’s US-Mexico Border Program discusses how immigrants, their loved ones, and other community members are organizing to stop that from happening.
“We're working directly with communities, providing information about what their rights are, and helping them organize themselves so they can defend basic constitutional rights,” Pedro says.