When Following the Rules Gets You Detained: Fresno's Immigration Chaos

On this episode of Fresnolandia, Danielle and Jordan sit down with Fresno Bee accountability reporter Melissa Montalvo, Fresnoland’s religion, culture, and immigration reporter Giselle Medina, and immigration attorney Armida Mendoza to unpack the shifting landscape of immigration enforcement in California’s Central Valley under the Trump administration. The conversation explores new ICE and Border Patrol tactics—from courthouse arrests to detentions at immigration appointments—and the chilling effects on local families. Together, they examine the human consequences of policy changes, the role of misinformation and notaries in immigrant communities, and how advocates are organizing for “power, not panic.”