Community members, health workers, and immigrant rights advocates gathered outside Congressman David Valadao’s Bakersfield office Saturday morning for a “Families First Day of Action.” The rally was one of many coordinated events nationwide to call attention to the effects of recent federal budget cuts.

The rally focused on healthcare, immigration enforcement, public health, and social services. Participants criticized Rep. Valadao’s voting record, especially his support for cuts to programs such as Medi-Cal, food assistance, and education, while also backing increased funding for immigration enforcement.

Rosa Lopez, an advocate with the Southern California Rapid Response Network, said the federal budget is not only irresponsible, but immoral especially its impact on immigrant families.

“This budget diverts billions away from food, housing, and healthcare and instead funds the expansion of immigration detention,” Lopez said. “In January, Kern County was hit with a week of immigration raids. Families were terrified. Children didn’t go to school. Parents didn’t go to work.”

She mentioned that over 65% of Kern County residents rely on Medicaid and food assistance programs, and cuts to those services are forcing many into poverty. “Let’s be clear,” she added. “Immigrants are the backbone of our local economy. When you destabilize their lives, you destabilize everything.”

Lopez asked attendees to support the “People’s Resolution,” which calls on elected officials to withdraw support from Rep. Valadao and reject the priorities laid out in the budget.

Anna Palacio, a nurse at Kern Medical, said the healthcare cuts could cause serious problems for local hospitals that are already struggling to keep up.

“At Kern Medical, we don’t just treat patients we train future nurses, doctors, and paramedics,” Palacio said. “When funding gets cut, it’s not just services that disappear. It’s the entire pipeline of healthcare workers in Kern County that gets disrupted.”

Civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers and president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation also gave a speech at the rally. 

“This will not be the last time we gather,” Huerta said. “Because until Congressman Valadao and others give back what they cut from Medicaid, childcare, and disability rights we will be here.”

Huerta also criticized Rep. Valadao for benefiting from millions in federal subsidies for his dairy business while voting to cut resources for working families. “He cares more about protecting his rich friends than serving the people who voted for him,” she said. “It’s time for him to go.”

She asked the community to begin organizing immediately for the 2026 election and called attention to recent Planned Parenthood clinic closures, which she said are already limiting reproductive healthcare options in the region.

“We all know someone who voted for Trump or Valadao because of abortion,” she said. “We have to educate our families. Women have the right to make decisions about their bodies.”

Organizers announced plans to hold a town hall for California’s 22nd Congressional District in late August or early September.