SACRAMENTO — Hundreds of immigrants and community advocates gathered at the California State Capitol on Monday, demanding state lawmakers take stronger action to protect undocumented residents in light of the upcoming return of President-elect Donald Trump. The rally, which included chants of “Newsom, escucha, estamos en la lucha” (“Newsom, listen, we are in the fight”), was held in anticipation of Trump’s vow to carry out mass deportations early in his term.
The event comes as concerns grow among immigrant families and advocates about the potential impact of these deportation efforts. Sarah Lee, an advocate with ICE Out of California, expressed fears that local resources might be used to support such deportations, which could result in family separations. “Families could be separated, and our local resources could be used to carry out these plans,” Lee said. “We need legislators to strengthen California’s policies to protect us.”
Three Key Demands for Governor Newsom
The rally organizers presented three primary demands for Governor Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers:
Pardons for Immigrants: Advocates are urging Newsom to use his executive power to pardon immigrants who have served their time in prison, thereby shielding them from deportation.
Opposition to Mass Detention: They are asking the state to stop leasing or selling land that could be used for private detention centers.
No State Funding for Deportations: Protesters called for an end to state funds being used for federal deportation efforts.
“We need our tax dollars invested in our communities, not in deportation efforts,” said Hulissa Aguilar, a UC Berkeley student whose father was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when she was 12. The experience, she said, motivated her to advocate for other families at risk of separation.
“Deportation affects not just the individual but their families as well,” Aguilar added.
Personal Stories of Struggle and Hope
Maria, an attendee who wished to remain anonymous due to her immigration status, spoke about her support for the rally. “Immigrants deserve basic human rights,” she said in Spanish. “People come here from countries where they can’t survive, and they should have a chance to build a better life.” Maria also shared her view that the animosity toward immigrants in the U.S. contrasts with the warm reception Americans often receive in her native Mexico. “If you are welcome in my country, you should welcome us in yours,” she said.
Sidthy Bin, an immigrant rights advocate, shared his personal story. Bin and his family arrived in the U.S. as legal residents in the 1980s after surviving the Cambodian Civil War. After a troubled adolescence, Bin found himself incarcerated, and now, as an adult, he faces an active deportation order. “I have a family here. I just got married a few months ago, and I’m a grandfather of three,” he said. “I live with the constant anxiety of being removed from my home.”
Bin, who has applied for a pardon from Newsom, echoed the rally’s call for Newsom to refuse cooperation with Trump’s deportation plans. “Our message to Governor Newsom is to stand with the immigrant community and with the people of California,” he said. “We are here to ensure no taxpayer money goes toward mass deportations.”
State Resistance to Federal Deportation Plans
During his presidential campaign, Trump promised to remove millions of undocumented immigrants, a plan that has sparked concern across the nation. However, Governor Newsom and other state leaders have vowed not to cooperate with these efforts, calling them unconstitutional. California lawmakers are also working to establish a legal defense fund to support those affected by potential federal actions.
As Newsom and the state legislature prepare for a special session to address these issues, immigrant advocates remain hopeful that their voices will be heard, ensuring California continues to stand as a sanctuary for its undocumented residents.
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