Organizations continue working to defend immigrants in the face of Trump threat

With the arrival, for the second time, of Donald Trump to the White House, community leaders are joining forces to help and protect immigrants from the threats made by the Republican, mainly because of the massive deportations that, according to his statements, will begin as soon as he takes power on January 20.

Institutions, community radio stations such as Radio Bilingüe and pro-immigrant organizations recognize that there is uncertainty and fear and for this reason they are working to provide useful information to immigrants so that they know what to do in case they are detained by immigration.

Daniel Rodríguez was at a forum in the Central Valley and prepared this report on the fears that are already perceptible among the community and how to prepare for a crisis.

DANIELA Rodriguez: The Central Valley Partnership organized a community event to join forces in defense of immigrant communities in which a high degree of concern was expressed about the fear that is spreading among immigrant groups in anticipation of Trump’s presidency.

In that sense, the executive director of the Moreno Institute, Raul Moreno, highlighted the fear felt by the college students with whom he works, and the type of preparation they are most interested in at this time.

DANIELA: It’s a real fear that the students’ parents feel, as Moreno mentioned, a distrust of leaving home, not knowing if they will be able to return. This was also highlighted by Radio Bilingüe’s founder and co-director, Hugo Morales, who spoke of the power and (national reach) of radio to keep immigrant communities informed in real time. With 24 stations on the network and its more than 75 affiliates, Radio Bilingüe focuses on misinformation and immigration fraud. Let’s listen.

HUGO: (1:02:28-1:02:39 ) We address misinformation and immigration fraud, we think this is something so critical for our audience to know…..

DANIELA: So this is what’s happening all over the country, according to Hugo Morales. And not just in the Bay Area, but also in Los Angeles, and certainly in the Central Valley. In addition, there are immigration groups that are forming alliances to try to organize in this time of crisis and find the best way to protect their families. One of them is SIREN, an immigrant services and education network, represented by Tania Cornelio.

SIREN: immigration services…. we also help undocumented families in the central valley

DANIELA: This assistance is part of regional efforts to protect immigrants from possible deportation and to protect families of mixed immigration status from trauma and separation that may occur.

Among the community brochures handed out were “red cards,” also known as “know your rights cards.” In the event of an ICE arrest, these cards serve to educate people about constitutional violations, regardless of their immigration status. They also handed out copies of the “Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit,” a document that allows guardians to be assigned to care for a child in the event that one or both parents are deported.

RAUL: Today in age we came up here to ask for help, we need to come together, we do not have the answer.

DANIELA: In closing, at the event hosted by the California Central Valley Alliance, Raul Moreno, stated that he does not have all the answers on how to plan for what is coming against immigrant communities. He said it is important to have conversations and collaborate among community organizations to create functional plans that protect both students and their families in this new presidential era.

Thank you Daniela Rodriguez and it is very important that you seek support with organizations that advocate for migrants at the local level to help you get reliable information about your rights.