Fanime 2025 and ICE Crackdowns – Lets Talk About It.

Fanime 2025 was incredible—but something important was missing.

For years, the street vendors outside Fanime have been part of what makes the con feel like home. But this year, they were gone.

This video explores what might have caused that absence—including rising ICE crackdowns across California, the criminalization of street vendors, and the growing fear in immigrant communities.

This isn’t just about food—it’s about who gets to show up, who gets to be safe, and who gets to belong in our shared spaces.

Please check out the resources below—whether you need help or want to support undocumented communities. Let’s keep each other safe.

Join the Conversation
Have you noticed changes in your community or con scene too? Share your thoughts in the comments, and please keep this space kind, thoughtful, and supportive.

Like, share, or just listen. Small acts matter.

#Fanime2025 #StreetVendors #ImmigrationRights #ICE #UndocumentedVoices #ConCulture #CosplayCommunity #MutualAid

Resources:
1.RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services)
https://www.raicestexas.org
2. National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
https://www.nilc.org
3. United We Dream – Deportation Defense Hotline & Text Support
https://unitedwedream.org Text “DEFEND” to 41411 for emergency help.
4. Immigrant Defense Project
https://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org
5. Informed Immigrant
https://www.informedimmigrant.com
6. National Immigration Justice Center
https://immigrantjustice.org
7. ACLU – Know Your Rights When Encountering ICE
https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights...
8. ILRC (Immigrant Legal Resource Center)
https://www.ilrc.org/
9. United We Dream – Actions for Allies
https://unitedwedream.org/our-work/de...
10. Immigrant Allies Toolkit – Informed Immigrant
https://www.informedimmigrant.com/imm...
11. Freedom for Immigrants – Visitation & Bond Funds
https://www.freedomforimmigrants.org
12. National Immigration Law Center – Advocate Resources
https://www.nilc.org/get-involved/
13. Never Again Action
https://www.neveragainaction.com
14. Donate to Bond Funds & Mutual Aid :
National Bail Fund Network (Immigration Section):
https://www.communityjusticeexchange....

0:00 -Prelude
1:44 -Introduction and Disclaimer
3:05 -What is Fanime? Who are the Street Vendors?
6:27 ConText Ice, Protests, and Raids
19:35 -Community Message
22:49 -Update "No Kings"


SOURCES:
1.Los Angeles Times – ICE Raids and Arrests in LA (June 2025)
https://www.latimes.com (search “ICE raids LA June 2025”)
2.Knock LA – Street Vendor Suppression
Community journalism on how LA law enforcement disproportionately targets undocumented street vendors.
https://knock-la.com
3.Curb LA & The LA Times – Crackdowns in Westlake, Boyle Heights, Fashion District
Documented stories of immigrant vendors being harassed or forced out by new policies. https://www.latimes.com
4.Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) – “Undocumented Immigrants’ State and Local Tax Contributions” (2023) Undocumented immigrants paid $96.7 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in 2022. https://itep.org
5. Pew Research Center – Immigrants in the U.S. Labor Force
Immigrants make up 18% of U.S. workers, concentrated in essential sectors. https://www.pewresearch.org
6. New American Economy – “The Contributions of New Americans”
Immigrant workers contribute $492 billion in annual tax revenue across all levels. https://www.newamericaneconomy.org
7.Social Security Administration – “How Undocumented Immigrants Support Social Security” (2020) Undocumented immigrants contributed $13 billion in one year via payroll taxes. https://www.ssa.gov
8. National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
Advocates for immigrant rights; offers legal breakdowns and street vendor protections. https://www.nilc.org
9. Street Vendor Project (NYC-based, national impact)
National advocacy for street vendor rights and legal protections. https://streetvendor.org
10. Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl