Immigrants and community advocates descended on Sacramento today with a clear demand of state lawmakers: create more protections for undocumented Californians. Advocates from across the state marched in the streets surrounding the state Capitol. “Newsom, escucha, estamos en la lucha,” they chanted, which translates to “Newsom, listen, we are in the fight.” The rally came weeks ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Trump has vowed to carry out mass deportations early in his term, which has frightened immigrant families and their supporters. “Families could be separated,” said Sarah Lee, an advocate with ICE Out of California. “There could be so much targeting and use of our local resources to enact these deportation plans and so I think our legislators need to make sure that they stand up and strengthen the policies here in California.” Rally organizers listed three main demands of Governor Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers. First, they want Newsom to exercise his pardon power for immigrants who have served time to protect them from deportation. They also want the state to refrain from leasing or selling land that could be used for mass detention facilities, such as private prisons. Advocates also said they don’t want state funds used for deportation efforts. “They need to stop investing our money into those things and instead [invest] into our communities,” said Hulissa Aguilar, an 18-year-old student at UC Berkeley. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Aguilar’s father when she was 12-years-old. She said the separation was difficult though the experience spurred her into action. She now advocates for other mixed-status families that face possible deportations. “You know, when one person is deported, it’s not just them that’s affected, it is their loved ones that are also forced to have to suffer,” Aguilar said. Rally organizers listed three main demands of Governor Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers. First, they want Newsom to exercise his pardon power for immigrants who have served time to protect them from deportation. They also want the state to refrain from leasing or selling land that could be used for mass detention facilities, such as private prisons. Advocates also said they don’t want state funds used for deportation efforts. “They need to stop investing our money into those things and instead [invest] into our communities,” said Hulissa Aguilar, an 18-year-old student at UC Berkeley. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Aguilar’s father when she was 12-years-old. She said the separation was difficult though the experience spurred her into action. She now advocates for other mixed-status families that face possible deportations. “You know, when one person is deported, it’s not just them that’s affected, it is their loved ones that are also forced to have to suffer,” Aguilar said. Read more Comments are closed.
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