On Thursday, a number of Democratic politicians from California were present in Oakland to voice their disapproval of the Trump administration’s assault on immigration and its response to the demonstrations that were held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Yuliana Wiser-Leon’s clients are living in fear while being bombarded with reports about huge rallies throughout the state of California as well as arrests made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in businesses and courthouses.
It is as if you are not leaving your house when you are living in terror. In addition to not going to work, I am not going to the store in peace. In an interview with CBS News Bay Area, Wiser-Leon stated that she is “really living day by day, just afraid of what could happen next.”
The New Comer Navigation Center in Oakland is a group that assists immigrant high school students in adjusting to life in a new nation. Many of these kids are undocumented immigrants. She is the director of this program.
Using the hotline, Wiser-Leon stated that the situation is currently becoming increasingly chaotic. “We’re probably answering 50 to 60 calls per day.”
In a group of state and local officials who came together to oppose the steps taken by the Trump administration against ICE demonstrators, Wiser-Leon was one of the individuals who participated. The treatment of California Senator Alex Padilla, who was pulled from a news conference held by the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday and placed in handcuffs after attempting to ask Secretary Kristi Noem a question, was also taken into consideration and denounced by the group.
Assemblywoman Liz Ortega, a member of the Democratic Party, stated that these actions send a powerful message to the people of the United States.
While they want to convey the notion that you are not permitted to exercise your constitutional rights, they are suddenly allowing you to exercise your right to speak your mind. And if we let him have that, then he is the winner,” Ortega stated.
Despite the fact that she is dissatisfied with what she has witnessed, Democratic Assemblymember Mia Bonta noted that demonstrations are anticipated to take place all around the country this weekend, which provides her with some optimism.
“This is our opportunity now to stand up with protests and peace,” Bonta stated in her speech.
