The United States has always been a nation of immigrants. And nowhere is that more true today than in California, where first-generation immigrants make up more than a quarter of the population. more than any other state.
More than half of California, and 62% of Los Angeles County, were born abroad or have at least one immigrant parent, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census data.
Immigrant communities are understandably scared and preparing for the worst when Donald Trump takes office next month. Deporting immigrants is at the top of the The president-elect's 20-point agendawhich promises “1. Seal the border and stop the immigration invasion” and “2. “Carry out the largest deportation operation in the history of the United States.”
The incoming administration has committed to use the army and mass detention camps to deport millions of immigrants who are in the country illegally along with American citizens and their families, to remove the temporary legal status of millions of immigrants, to reinstate Trump's Muslim ban, and to end the citizenship by birth. These and other policies, if carried out, would tear apart families and communities and harm the economy.
With these clouds on the horizon, it is vitally important to recognize the role that immigrants play in our communities.
Immigrants have always been the soul of the nation and a source of growth, diversity and innovation. There are more than 11 million first-generation immigrants in California from all backgrounds and walks of life, from the working and middle classes to the highest levels of society. That includes powerful figures like Los Angeles Archbishop José Gómez, Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, union leader Ada Briceño, and some of the world's most influential business executives, like Google's Sundar Pichai and Jensen Huang from Nvidia, all of them immigrants.
As a state with the world's fifth-largest economy, California would be among the most affected by the proposed policies. People who could be swept up in mass deportation plans include teachers and coaches, child care providers and home health care and long-term care workers. California farms, which provide more than a third of the country's vegetables and three-quarters of its fruits and nuts, are largely supported by immigrant labor (at least half of the state's farm workers are undocumented), as are many other parts of the state's economy, such as construction and service work.
Aside from the economic damage, the suffering inflicted on immigrant families and their children by draconian policies would be immeasurable. Immigrant rights groups are now reviving many of the assistance programs they implemented to deal with deportations during the early Trump and Obama administrations, including “know your rights” workshops that help immigrants with legal answers and support. . Some are creating programs that help parents make contingency plans for their children in case they are detained. Some are planning marches to rally support.
Local leaders, including los angeles school board and the Los Angeles City Council and County board of supervisorshave taken steps to reaffirm sanctuary policies, which restrict cooperation with federal officials on immigration enforcement. Local governments have increased funding for legal services and made other commitments defend immigrants and their families of the plans proposed by the Trump administration. But they may have to do more to fight anti-immigration excesses and use their power to protect children and families.
Ordinary people can also make a difference, even in small ways, by supporting immigrant rights groups, volunteering to help permanent residents apply for citizenship, and calling their members of Congress to demand action to protect to immigrants. They can show up at rallies, protests, and local government meetings to defend immigrants and their families from dehumanizing attacks.
If the incoming administration turns its plans into reality, it will be clear to everyone (including those who were attracted by the campaign promise to crack down on immigration) that what hurts immigrant communities will hurt everyone. At that moment, the responsibility will fall on all of us to speak up and defend the most American ideal of all: that this country was built by immigrants who sought a better life and who have made America stronger in every way.
