California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Condemns Recent Los Angeles and San Diego Immigration Raids

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Condemns Recent Los Angeles and San Diego Immigration Raids

SACRAMENTO, CA — The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus released the following statement regarding the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Los Angeles and San Diego:

“We are heartbroken by and unequivocally condemn the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids today in Los Angeles and over the weekend in San Diego. Chaired by and containing several Members from Los Angeles and San Diego, we in the LGBTQ Caucus know all too well that such targeted attacks on our community’s families do not belong in our cities and across California. These objectionable raids have both inflicted trauma upon immigrant communities and neighbors as well as diminished the public safety of our constituents.

Carried out under President Trump, these raids reflect an alarming escalation of and return to fear-based overreach that we saw systematically executed in his first Administration – blatantly disregarding the dignity of families across California. Carrying out such raids – especially in places of everyday life like homes, schools, workplaces, and restaurants – increases anxiety and fear amongst everyone, regardless of immigration status. 

As fellow Diversity Caucus Members and legislators representing the very communities impacted, we reject the use of militarized tactics in our neighborhoods. Our immigrant community members are our friends, colleagues, congregants, parishioners, neighbors, and much more. No one should live in fear of being torn from their family, much less while working, going to school, or walking down the street.   

Joining our fellow Diversity Caucus, the California Latino Legislative Caucus, we call on the Trump Administration to end these cruel and frenzied raids. We also further stand with SEIU in demanding the immediate release of President David Huerta – who was injured and unjustly detained – as well as the immediate release of all those also unjustly detained. In the face of injustice, California must stand up against such targeted attacks on the dignity and rights of all of our community members, no matter their immigration status.” 

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About the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus

California’s Legislative LGBTQ Caucus was formed in 2002 to create a forum for California Legislators to discuss issues that affect LGBTQ Californians and to further the goal of equality and justice for all Californians. California became the first state in the United States to officially form a caucus of openly-LGBTQ state legislators and continues to be a leader of progress for all Americans. In 2023, our membership hit a new milestone of 12 members, becoming one of the largest LGBTQ Caucus in the Nation, and continues to remain strong. Despite tremendous progress and an unprecedented swell of support for the LGBTQ community worldwide, there is still much work to do to protect and uplift the most vulnerable in our community. The LGBTQ Caucus strives to advocate for diversity and inclusion of all people, including differently abled bodies. Our Caucus is working diligently to support LGBTQ leaders that represent our community at the local, state, and federal levels.

For more information on the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, please visit https://lgbtqcaucus.legislature.ca.gov/ 

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