Resisting Trump’s Immigration Policy 

It is a new day for federal immigration enforcement in the USA. The Donald J. Trump administration’s recent announcement on immigration enforcement is ending the longstanding “sensitive locations” policy, and allows federal immigration arrests at schools, churches and hospitals. This big change will have immediate impacts on immigrant communities in California, America’s most populous state of 39 million people.

This is why. “California is home to 10.6 million immigrants—22% of the foreign-born population nationwide,” according to Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Cesar Alesi Perez and Hans Johnson of the Public Policy Institute of California.  The Pew Research Center estimates that 1.8 million immigrants in California were undocumented in 2022, down from 2.8 million in 2007; that is, the undocumented share fell to 17% from 28%.  Against that demographic backdrop, George Galvis is the executive director of Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ), based in Oakland, California.
The following interview was conducted via email.

Seth Sandronsky: How will this immigration policy change of Trump’s affect immigrant families’ access to essential services?

George Galvis: The Trump administration’s decision to allow the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) into schools, churches and healthcare facilities is creating a climate of terror in our communities. While we continue advising families to access these essential services, this policy makes parents afraid to take children to a doctor’s appointment or attend school events. This type of immigration enforcement is systematically cutting off immigrant families from the basic services and support systems that all human beings need to survive and thrive.

SS: Talk about the broader pattern of criminalization of immigrant communities.

GG: This latest policy fits a broader pattern of criminalizing and dehumanizing immigrant communities. The administration keeps pushing false narratives about public safety and national security to justify increasingly aggressive enforcement, despite clear evidence showing immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than native-born citizens. What we’re really seeing is increased racial profiling, surveillance, and policing of our communities under the guise of immigration enforcement. SS: Explain community-based alternatives to punitive immigration enforcement.

GG: At CURYJ and through our partnerships with other community organizations, we’re demonstrating that there are more effective, humane approaches focused on building power and supporting families rather than tearing them apart. Through our Youth Power Zones, we’re creating safe, healing spaces that provide comprehensive support and resources to young people and their families, regardless of immigration status. These zones serve as a model for community-led public safety that doesn’t rely on criminalization or enforcement. We provide know-your-rights education, help develop family safety plans, and work to maintain vital community connections and access to services. Our model shows that we can create safety through solidarity and support, not through punishment and fear.

SS: What are the economic and social contributions of immigrant communities?

GG: The reality is that immigrant communities are essential to the fabric of our society and economy. We’re talking about business owners, workers, taxpayers, and community leaders. When enforcement policies make people afraid to participate fully in society – whether that’s running a business, reporting crimes, or engaging with their children’s schools – it weakens our entire community. True public safety comes from ensuring everyone can fully participate in and contribute to our communities without fear.

(Last week, the city of Oakland terminated a CURYJ contract amid the Trump administration’s messaging a withdrawal of federal support for community groups providing social services.)

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