Local Officials React to New Immigration Policy
President Donald Trump’s plans of conducting mass deportations and raids have several Bay Area communities on edge. Now, local officials are speaking out to clear up any misinformation.
Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) officials say they want to put residents at ease. On January 21, Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez stated that her Office was aware of false stories that targeted enforcement by U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE) was underway. In the name of transparency, Sheriff Sanchez noted that ACSO does not get involved in ICE activities because it drains its own resources and weakens its community relationships.
The notice said that ACSO does not collect immigration status information, or any data related to their status.
Additionally, California Assemblymember Liz Ortega (District 20), Eden United Church of Christ, and Centro Legal de la Raza are hosting a free workshop to inform community members being targeted by the Trump Administration of their rights. The “Know Your Rights” Workshop is expected to include immigration law experts and information about people’s rights and protections.
“I share Sheriff Sanchez’s commitment to SB 54 and standing with our immigrant communities. That’s why my office is hosting a virtual know your rights training about legal rights when interacting with immigration enforcement,” Assemblymember Liz Ortega told the Forum.
The event will be held on Saturday, February 1, at the Eden United Church of Christ on Birch Street in Hayward. The event starts at 9:00 a.m. and runs until 10:30 a.m.
More information can be found at https://a20.asmdc.org/.
Among the actions ordered by the Trump administration last week, The U.S. Department of Defense has said that it will provide military aircraft to deport more than 5,000 people. Border Patrol has detained in San Diego and El Paso, Texas. The U.S. has halted the processing of migrants and asylum seekers as well as canceling existing migrants' appointments. The administration said it has expanded the powers of ICE, including carrying out raids.