Fear is a weapon, but across California, immigrant leaders and worker organizations are refusing to let it win. In the Bay Area, SFF’s grantee partners are bolstering rapid response networks, holding know-your-rights trainings, forming alliances, and strengthening sanctuary protections.
Immigrants have laid the railroads, constructed our cities, cared for our children, kept our homes clean, staffed our hospitals, and fueled our economy. They embody the resilience, innovation, and family values that America claims to uphold. And our state, California, is home to 2.7 million undocumented residents and 146,000 undocumented children. One in five children in our state has at least one undocumented parent. Immigrants make up one-third of our workforce, own nearly 40 percent of small businesses, and contribute to every industry, from agriculture to technology.
But the new administration has introduced new laws and policies designed to restrict immigration and punish those without documentation. These actions are tearing families apart and creating a climate of anxiety. Schools, once considered safe havens, are now vulnerable to raids. The right to seek asylum – a fundamental human right – is being eroded. Immigrants who have built lives and contributed to our society are living in constant fear of detention and deportation.
For me, this isn’t just a political issue; it’s a deeply personal one. Nearly two decades ago, I remember sitting in my high school algebra classroom. It was May 1, 2006 – this country’s very first Day Without Immigrants. A bill that criminalized undocumented people, HR 4437, had just passed, and I was having a hard time concentrating on my studies. I was a young, undocumented immigrant, and I couldn’t ignore the xenophobic whispers of my classmates. The hateful policy framed me and my family as people who did not belong in this country.
But even in those dark times, there were glimmers of hope. The 2006 Day Without Immigrants protests – in response to HR 4437 – showed the power of collective action and solidarity. And organizations across the country, including the San Francisco Foundation, stood by our values, defending the rights of immigrants and providing support to those in need.
That is why it’s so critical that the Bay Area serves as a beacon of light during these dark times. Earlier this month, Governor Newsom approved $25 million dollars to protect immigrant residents from deportation. San Francisco is leading a coalition of cities in filing a lawsuit arguing that the Trump administration’s crackdown on sanctuary jurisdictions violates constitutional protections and local authority. And the California CEO Funder Table, a statewide coalition of philanthropic leaders, is using the collective strength of philanthropy to support immigrant rights, change narratives, advance policy and advocacy, and build statewide infrastructure.
I am proud to work at SFF, where we are standing by our values and the Bay Area’s immigrant communities. Here are some of the ways that you can support our work to protect Bay Area immigrants today:
- Support our Rapid Response Fund, which provides emergency funds to frontline social justice organizations in the Bay Area.
- Check out our Immigration Give Guide and support one of our recommended nonprofits.
May 1, 2006, was the day that ignited a fire in me. It pushed me to overcome my fear and become an advocate for justice and equity. Today, as we face renewed attacks on immigrant communities, I call on us to rise in solidarity. Together, we can build a future where everyone feels safe, welcomed, and valued, regardless of their immigration status.
