Fresno Immigrant Rights Coalition: Responding to Trump's Victory and Fighting Back Against "Mass Deportation"
Immigration rights advocates sound the alarm, urging "all hands on deck," as President-elect Donald Trump pledges to initiate mass deportations and use the military to do so, on his first day in office. On Friday, November 8, dozens of community members and leaders gathered outside the Federal Building in Downtown Fresno to respond to the outcome of the presidential election. Speakers included representatives from the Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative (CVIIC) a group dedicated to supporting and providing resources for immigrants.
Community members arrived at the press conference holding signs expressing support and demanding protection for immigrants.
Attendees displayed signs expressing support and demanding protection for immigrants. Signs read:
“Families belong together!”
“Defend DACA. Defend Dreamers.”
“Immigrants feed America.”
“Solo el Pueblo salva al Pueblo.” (“Only the people can save the people.”)
Speakers from the seven organizations in attendance took turns sharing initiatives, resources, and important information in response to the election results. They expressed their united message, summarized by Sukaina Hussain, Deputy Director of Strategic Initiatives for California Immigrant Policy Center,
“We are all standing alongside you… we will collectively fight against the Trump administration…We know what they are capable of but we know what we are also capable of.”
Organizational leaders spoke to the community, offering resources, hope, and solidarity.
We asked Hussain what immediate steps young people can do to help protect the immigrant community. She responded, “So we are really excited to see that there's a lot more energy from young people around organizing and making sure their voices and their stories are being heard.” Below are several actionable steps you can take today to help:
1.Follow and engage with local organizations
“There is a huge opportunity right now for young people to engage with local organizations that do the work, to uplift their stories, to make sure that their narratives are centered and that they're being heard. And then also getting behind local opportunities to create protection.” -Sukaina Hussain
There are several organizations that are dedicated to supporting and fighting for our immigrant communities. Following them on social media will give you valuable information on rights, news updates, mobilization efforts, and further calls for action, as well as illicit unity and hope among immigrants and allies. You can also visit their websites for resources, services, and more information.
Centro Binancional Para El Desarrollo Indigen Oaxaqueno (CBDIO)
“CBDIO was created by and for Indigenous communities in rural California to organize and make sure our communities’ culture, languages, and knowledge are recognized and respected by the systems and institutions that impact our lives. At the end of our day, our goal is simple: the self-determination of Indigenous people.”
California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC)
“We work to advance inclusive, pro-immigrant policies for all in California so that we are all able to thrive.”
Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative (CVIIC)
“To serve as the leading immigrant integration organization in the Central Valley, dedicated to ensuring full participation of immigrants in building strong, vibrant, inclusive communities.”
Dolores Huerta Foundation (DHF)
“The Dolores Huerta Foundation passionately advocates for social justice, focusing on empowering marginalized communities through grassroots organizing, civic engagement, and education initiatives. By championing the rights of underrepresented populations, we strive to create a more equitable and inclusive society for all.”
Education Leadership Foundation (ELF)
“We are a community based non-profit organization that provides education, civic engagement, and immigration services. We provide professional development seminars, leadership development, professional development internships, scholarships, and volunteer opportunities through collaboration with other organizations.”
Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
The ILRC is a national organization providing legal training, educational materials, and policy advocacy in immigration law.
The New American Legal Clinic (NALC) through the San Joaquin College of Law (SJCL)
“The New American Legal Clinic (NALC) is a full-service immigration legal clinic, training law students in immigration law and serving under resourced individuals in our community… NALC provides legal services at no charge; however there may be required government filing fees and other incidental fees which are the sole responsibility of the client.”
Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries (FIRM)
For 30 years, FIRM has stood steadfast against hate and bigotry, and we remain ready to join hands with our community allies to protect our new neighbors, regardless of how long they have called this Valley home.
If you are an organization that is engaging in the collective effort to support immigrant communities, please fill out this form to be added to the uSpark list of progressive organizations.
2.Pressure local government to make Fresno a sanctuary city
“We can work to pass a sanctuary city ordinance in the city of Fresno. We didn't do that the last time Trump was in office. And that's something that we have an opportunity to do like other places in California.” -Sukaina Hussain
According to the National Institute of Health, sanctuary cities in California include San Jose, Anaheim, Berkeley, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Long Beach, and Oakland. In Fresno County, immigrants represented 21.4% of the 979,915 residents as of 2016. The unauthorized or undocumented population in Fresno County is estimated by the Migration Policy Institute to number approximately 85,000.
To be a sanctuary city or county would create safety nets for immigrants through ordinances that welcome and benefit them. A major step would be the rejection of enforcing inhumane federal immigration laws that displace people from their homes and separate families.
“When the federal administration does attack the Central Valley like they promised to, those protections are in place and young people have a big role to play in organizing behind that.” -Sukaina Hussain
3.Carry and distribute red cards
Every person in the United States, regardless of citizenship status, has rights. If confronted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), knowing your rights can help avoid immediate deportation. They are:
You have the right to remain silent and can refuse to answer ICE’s questions.
You have the right to demand a warrant and deny entry to authorities without one.
You have the right to refuse to sign anything before you talk to a lawyer.
You have the right to speak to a lawyer and the right to make a phone call.
The ILRC has prepared these red cards with scripts that can be used in the event that you are confronted by ICE. “The red cards are an important resource around knowing your rights and the constitutional rights of everyone, regardless of immigration status,” said Allison Davenport, supervising attorney with the ILRC.
Carrying a card at all times and making it visible to officers will communicate that you know your federal rights. Distributing them to friends, family, and organizations that work with immigrant communities can help prepare people if ICE attempts to detain them.
Fill out this form to request free red cards to distribute. We currently have English/Spanish cards available and are waiting on a shipment of Punjabi. If you have an additional language you need, please include that in your request (processing time will be longer).
Follow this link for how to use red cards in 5 languages.
4.Help loved ones make a family preparedness plan
Hopefully this plan will never have to be put to use, however, if you or a loved one is confronted by ICE, it will help ease some of the stress in the devastating instance of deportation. The Immigration Legal Resource Center (ILRC) has created a step-by-step guide with valuable information to assist families in creating a plan.
“We also want to remind people nothing is going to change until after the inauguration in January. And even then, some of this will take a long, long time to roll out… we don't expect that everything he (Trump) wants he's going to get or going to be able to do. But we do want our communities to feel supported and prepared,” said Davenport of the ILRC.
Additionally, the ILRC offers several other invaluable resources including an immigration “toolkit” (in Spanish and English) that gives a thorough step-by-step plan to guide immigrants and their families toward having a comprehensive strategy in place during these uncertain times.
La Comunidad lo es Todo
The press conference began somber and tense, visible in the expressions of those attending. By the end of the hour, the shift in energy was palpable. Community members engaged with organizational leaders and representatives who clarified questions and gave additional information. Red cards were distributed to all who wanted or needed them. People hugged, smiled, laughed and gathered in a collective chant, “Un pueblo, una lucha!” One people, one fight!
Together we will fight!