On June 20, 2018, during a press conference hosted by Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan, The Unity Council stood with Oakland and Alameda County community and political leaders to condemn the immoral and brutal practice of separating immigrant children from their families. As community leaders and service providers for thousands of children and their families every day, The Unity Council will always stand with our community to fight for what is right.
Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan and community leaders and elected officials expressed their opposition against President Trump’s policy which is currently separating children from their parents at the U.S. border. The press conference highlighted the need for the federal government to quickly alter its policy and the steps local elected leaders and the community can take to keep families united.
In Alameda County, one in three residents are immigrants, and over half of children in Alameda County live in families with at least one parent who is an immigrant.
“Alameda County is proud to welcome all immigrants into our community,” said Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan. “The fact that children are being ripped from their parents’ arms, children being moved around the country far from their parents, and being kept in cages is abhorrent.”
Chan added, “We are no longer talking about immigration policy. We are talking about the well-being of the vulnerable children and their parents. We need this President to stop separating families immediately.”
Close to 6,000 migrant children have been separated from their parents after crossing the southern U.S. border since April when Trump administration adopted a “zero-tolerance” policy.
“As a father, it is unthinkable that our government would forcibly and unnecessarily pull children away from their parents,” said Attorney General Becerra. “This policy, devised by the Trump Administration, is wrong, inhumane, and traumatic for thousands of children. It is horrifying that an American President would direct this cruel ‘zero tolerance’ policy that contradicts our American values.”
The press conference took place at The Unity Council’s De Colores Head Start in Oakland, and included keynotes from the following speakers:
- Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan
- Edward Mora, Office of Congressman Eric Swalwell
- Tasion Kwamilele, Office of Congresswoman Barbara Lee
- Oakland Board of Education Director Shanthi Gonzales, District 6
- Oakland Board of Education Director Roseann Torres, District 5
- Jane Garcia, Executive Director, La Clínica de la Raza
- Chris Iglesias, Chief Executive Officer, The Unity Council
- Silvia Lopez, Mujeres Unidas y Activas (MUA)
Elected officials and community leaders gathered to denounce Trump’s policy, commit to protecting immigrants, and provide resources to the community.