The dangers of crossing paths with ICE are plain, which is why SBResiste gives its volunteer and rapid response members clear guidance on how to follow a federal agent in a vehicle: Maintain a safe distance; follow all traffic laws.
This became an open question after the Independent received two letters from SBResiste volunteers, who had been tailing federal immigration agents during their efforts to protect the community. Both stated that California Highway Patrol officers had pulled observers over, delaying them long enough for the ICE agents to leave and escape further observation.
For the CHP, they received a call from an individual concerned that they were being followed. In Santa Maria on the afternoon of December 27, 2025, CHP Officer Maria Barriga said officers responded to a federal agent being followed, just as they would in the case of a domestic-violence-related call. After telling the caller to pull into a safe location like a local law enforcement office, CHP units contacted the follower and separated the two parties…