NLGSF Statement on DACA & Planned Raids

President Obama implemented DACA, after he was unable to pass comprehensive immigration reform that could ensure a meaningful path to citizenship for all undocumented people in the United States. DACA was the concession that the federal government offered to obscure the true problem - the 11 million Americans living as second class citizens, constantly fearful of being torn from their lives and their families here in the United States.

The Bay Area boasts one of the most diverse communities in the country, with immigrants from all over the world. Since Trump took office, ICE has become emboldened and we fear the government will soon engage in massive deportation raids of DACA recipients, who willingly provided their personal information, including home addresses, to the federal government. This sort of enforcement will further terrorize our communities, destroying the fabric of life for families across the country and in our region. “Providing legal status to individuals who came to this country as children, should be a no brainer, however it is only part of the solution. There are millions of undocumented people in the United States who should all be granted legal status in the United States. Undocumented immigrants are an integral part of our communities and we will not rest until everyone is given an opportunity to thrive and contribute to our communities.”

This fear is not unfounded as ICE just announced today that it will engage in massive raids and deportations from mid-to-late September endangering the health, welfare and lives of thousands of immigrants across the country.

We call on all progressive lawyers, legal workers and activists to stand in solidarity with immigrants and undocumented people in their struggle to attain full citizenship and all its rights. We at NLGSF will continue to provide Know Your Rights presentations to immigrant communities, observe and document how immigration judges treat non citizen respondents who are detained, and work with the Northern California Rapid Response Network to provide support and legal representation for immigrant communities in Northern California.