The War on Immigrants
The Los Angeles Schoolteacher Leading the Fight Against ICE
As the Trump administration ramps up its anti-immigrant campaign, activists like Ron Gochez of Unión Del Barrio are showing how to resist.
Jonah Valdez
Jonah Valdez is a reporter for The Intercept covering politics, U.S. foreign policy, Israel and Palestine, human rights issues, and protest movements for social justice.
He previously was a staff writer with the Los Angeles Times where he joined the paper as an inaugural member of the L.A. Times Fellowship. For the Times, Valdez covered stories about environmental justice, gentrification, transportation, labor, pop culture, and the Hollywood industry. Valdez got his start covering local news for the Southern California News Group. His work can also be found in The Guardian, Voice of San Diego, and the San Diego-Union Tribune. He was raised in San Diego and now resides in Los Angeles, where he also writes poetry and is working on his first collection.
He previously was a staff writer with the Los Angeles Times where he joined the paper as an inaugural member of the L.A. Times Fellowship. For the Times, Valdez covered stories about environmental justice, gentrification, transportation, labor, pop culture, and the Hollywood industry. Valdez got his start covering local news for the Southern California News Group. His work can also be found in The Guardian, Voice of San Diego, and the San Diego-Union Tribune. He was raised in San Diego and now resides in Los Angeles, where he also writes poetry and is working on his first collection.
Contacts:
- jonah.valdez@theintercept.com
- @jonahmv.05 on Signal
- @jonahmv on X
Posts:
Israel’s War on Gaza
Facing Voter Pressure, Swing-State Democrat Swears Off AIPAC Cash
Rep. Deborah Ross became the latest Democrat to swear off AIPAC amid pressure to hold Israel accountable for its genocide in Gaza.
Israel’s War on Gaza
Even Former AIPAC Democrats Are Signing On to Block Arms Sales to Israel
The “Block the Bombs” bill’s supporters are presenting it as a litmus test for the 2026 midterms.
Chilling Dissent
Egyptian Officials in New York Beat Two Gaza Protesters on Video. The NYPD Arrested the Protesters.
The protesters’ parents said the officials beat their sons with chains at Egypt’s U.N. mission. The NYPD arrested the brothers for assault.
The War on Immigrants
What Court Order? Federal Agents Keep Raiding LA Workplaces Despite Ban
Border Patrol agents used a Penske moving truck to storm a Home Depot, despite a court order barring ICE raids at workplaces.
Israel’s War on Gaza
The Week the World Woke Up to the Genocide in Gaza
Pressure is mounting against Israel in the U.S. and around the world. Will it mean anything on the ground in Palestine?
Israel’s War on Gaza
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Head Boasts Success as Palestinians Starve
“What we’re doing has actually been unbelievably effective,” said the chair of the Israeli-backed and U.S.-run aid group.
The War on Immigrants
Documenting ICE Agents’ Brutal Use of Force in LA Immigration Raids
Video analysis of reveals how federal agents in Southern California regularly use force against unarmed individuals, many of them U.S. citizens.
Chilling Dissent
Palestinian Activists Came to Speak at California Synagogue — But Face Deportation at the Airport
CBP revoked Eid and Awdah Hathaleen’s visas before detaining them on Wednesday. Local organizers haven’t heard from them since.
Chilling Dissent
LAPD Won’t Do Immigration Enforcement — But Will Shoot You With Rubber Bullets for Protesting ICE
LA’s sanctuary laws ban cops from helping ICE in most cases. But the LAPD was out in full force repressing protests against the raids.