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Newsletter
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Office of Immigrant Relations
70 W. Hedding 11th Floor
San Jose, CA 95110
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Executive Orders on Immigration by the Trump Administration
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Did You Know?
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Mayors Declare Support for Immigrant and Refugee Communities
January 25-26 2017
Statement from Cities for Action on the President’s Executive Actions
“Today’s executive orders do not change who we are or how we govern our cities, and we will fight against attempts to undermine our values and the security of our cities. Representing cities and counties across the country, we are united in our commitment to remain inclusive cities, providing for the public safety of all. As mayors and county executives nationwide have made clear today, we will continue to provide for all in our communities—regardless of where they come from—and work to continue building trust between city residents and law enforcement.”
Mayors statements made in the past week::
Atlanta, GA Mayor Kasim Reed
“Atlanta is proud to be a welcoming city. We are a community which has stood up for the civil and human rights of every person, and we will not waver now. Atlanta is the leading cultural and economic center of the Southeast precisely because of our legacy of inclusion. My administration is determined to use the full strength of that position to lead with policies that uphold and enhance the civil rights of all our residents, because any threat to our constitutionally guaranteed liberty is a threat to all Atlantans. Our city stands together. We believe the President’s executive orders violate the principles of the U.S. Constitution. We believe these orders promote dangerous public policy, eroding trust between public safety agencies and the communities they serve, which will undermine public safety in the City of Atlanta and nationwide. We believe the courts will agree. As Mayor, I pledge that Atlanta city government will stand firm in its commitment to inclusivity and diversity, and will remain open and welcoming to all.”
Austin, TX Mayor Steve Adler
"Austin is one of the safest cities in the country partly because we listen to our police chief and our sheriff, and they tell us that the voluntary and warrantless ICE detainer program would make us less safe. Withholding money from cities that do not comply with this voluntary program asks cities how much money they'd take to sacrifice their safety, and our safety is not for sale.”
Birmingham, AL Mayor William A. Bell Sr.
“We are deeply disappointed in the actions of the President today. Our country is built on the backs of immigrants. The very fabric of our nation is predicated on the welcoming and empowering spirit of all Americans and the idea that coming to the United States meant working to build a life of opportunity. Our hope in Birmingham as the cradle of the civil rights movement is that the mistakes of the past will not be repeated today.”
Boston, MA Mayor Martin J. Walsh
"I am deeply disturbed by today's news. We will not back down from our values that make us who we are as a city. We will fight for our residents, whether immigrant or not, and provide the best quality of life for all Bostonians. I will use all of my power within lawful means to protect all Boston residents -- even if that means using City Hall itself as a last resort.”
Carborro, NC Mayor Lydia Lavelle
“Carrboro, North Carolina prides itself on being a diverse and inclusive community. We have many immigrant residents who contribute greatly to the spirit and fabric of our town. As town officials, we are committed to looking out for the safety of all of our residents, and we resolve to continue lawfully and compassionately doing so.”
Chicago, IL Mayor Rahm Emmanuel
“Chicago is going to stay a sanctuary city. There is no stranger among us. We welcome people — whether you’re from Poland or Pakistan, whether you’re from Ireland or India or Israel and whether you’re from Mexico or Moldavia where my grandfather came from. You are welcome in Chicago as you pursue the American dream.”
Denver, CO Mayor Michael B. Hancock
“Denver, and cities across the country, have continually looked to and asked for Washington to act on comprehensive immigration reform. Unfortunately, that’s not what we saw today. Instead, communities and families will now be penalized for the Federal Government’s failure to act. The executive orders signed today put our economic security as a nation at risk, and I am deeply disappointed.”
Jersey City, NJ Mayor Steven Fulop
"We intend to stand by our principles and values as a city. Jersey City was founded as a city of immigrants, and we are unwilling to be part of orders that break families apart or harm immigrants who are in this country."
Houston, TX Mayor Sylvester Turner
“I know there are a lot of families and children who are afraid and worried right now about what might happen to them. I want them to know that Houston is, and always has been, a welcoming city, where we value and appreciate diversity. HPD is not the Immigration Customs Enforcement. We don’t profile, and we are not going to start profiling people to determine whether they are here illegally. It hasn’t happened under previous mayors, and it will not happen under my administration.”
Long Beach, CA Mayor Robert Garcia
"Long Beach is and will always remain a city that welcomes and supports all people. This country is a nation of immigrants, built by a love of country, family, and community. We are at our best when we treat each other with respect and kindness. We will stand up for all Americans - including hard working immigrants -because that's what makes Long Beach, and America, great."
Los Angeles, CA Mayor Eric Garcetti
“An open, welcoming, and compassionate spirit is not just an ideal that we try to live up to — it's part of the American character. Those are our values in Los Angeles, and we intend to preserve them no matter what happens in Washington, D.C. The safety and well-being of everyone who lives, works in, and visits L.A. will always be our number-one priority. The idea that we do not cooperate with the federal government is simply at odds with the facts. We regularly cooperate with immigration authorities — particularly in cases that involve serious crimes — and always comply with constitutional detainer requests. What we don’t do is ask local police officers to enforce federal immigration laws — and that’s an official LAPD policy that has been enforced for nearly 40 years. That is for everyone’s good, because trust between police and the people they serve is absolutely essential to effective law enforcement.
Everyone in L.A. should feel safe stepping forward if they have witnessed a crime or been victimized themselves — and immigration status shouldn’t interfere with the cooperation and partnership we need to keep our neighborhoods safe.”
Madison, WI Mayor Paul Soglin
“The City of Madison will not waver in defending the rights of our people to protect the rights of everyone within our jurisdiction regardless of status. We will not use our local police department to enforce federal immigration laws. The trust between our police department and the people we serve is more important than our violating the constitution and improperly detaining individuals. If we should stop someone for a traffic violation or a misdemeanor, we have no right to compromise their freedom, to detain them, without a lawful court order. We will continue to operate as we have been which is consistent with our fundamental values as a city.”
New Haven, CT Mayor Toni N. Harp
“Throughout its history this nation has been a beacon to those who flee oppression and persecution – who seek freedom and opportunity instead; this rash act by a new President seems completely contrary to that ideal. New Haven, one of some 300 ‘sanctuary’ cities, counties, and states nationwide, will continue to embrace residents arriving from wherever they used to live, will work to make them feel welcome and safe, and will act to protect its ability to do so.”
New Orleans, LA Mayor Mitch Landreiu
"The City of New Orleans is a welcoming city, and we will continue to be a place whose racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity contribute to our growing economy, rich culture, resilience, and commitment to equity and inclusion. The NOPD is focused on arresting those who commit violent crimes, not enforcing civil immigration laws. We will continue to do the work we are entrusted with by the people of New Orleans and remain focused on keeping our city and her citizens safe. This makes us safer because it increases trust between the community and law enforcement. Those who commit a crime will be arrested - political theatrics have no bearing on the serious work at hand. Lastly, the NOPD will not be coerced into joining Trump’s deportation army via the 287(g) program. Doing so would require the NOPD to pull officers focused on fighting crime off the street."
New York City, NY Mayor Bill de Blasio
"The president's executive order runs contrary to our values, but the stroke of a pen does not change the people of New York City. We are not going to deport law-abiding New Yorkers.
We will not tear families apart. We will not leave children without their parents.
We are not going to undermine the progress the NYPD has made over a quarter century. We believe we are on solid ground for a legal challenge to the executive order should the occasion arise."
Philadelphia, PA Mayor Jim Kenney
“Philadelphia is at the lowest crime rate we've had in 40 years, in no small part because of all our police department has done to strengthen police-community relations. So all of this assertion that somehow sanctuary cities are dangerous places are simply untrue. Our immigrant population is not the source of crime. They are often the victims of crime or the witnesses to crime and driving them underground does not make the city safer - it only serves to destroy the community trust our police department has worked so hard to build. If the federal government obtains a warrant for an individual and asks us to hold them, we will comply. But to have somebody picked up for traffic violations and held for 72 hours against their will without a warrant or charges, to me, flies in the face of the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. And punishing cities for trying to effectively police our own communities and for acting constitutionally is wrong.”
Phoenix, AZ Mayor Greg Stanton
“Today the president unleashed a divisive attack on Latinos in Phoenix and around the country.
The president’s executive orders will not make us safer, but instead will incite fear and chaos for Latinos and immigrants alike. But be assured: We will fight the federal government’s attempt to turn the Phoenix Police Department into a mass deportation force. Building a wall will only tear our economy down and damage relationships with Mexico that today support 100,000 Arizona jobs. Despite today’s unsettling news – and with the anticipation of more harmful policies to come from this Administration – Phoenix will remain a welcoming and diverse city that strives every day to treat residents with dignity and respect, no matter who you are, who you love or where you come from.”
Pittsburgh, PA Mayor William Peduto
"The residents of Pittsburgh stand tonight with cities all across our nation. Pittsburgh was built by immigrants, who came to our city to find work in our steel mills and who forged a better life for their families. Like my grandparents, they came to America for opportunity, and they built America. We stand on their shoulders, and we owe it to them to preserve opportunities for current and future generations. Just as our past was built by immigrants, so too will be our future. Let's be clear: the President's executive order will not make us safer. It will not advance the principles upon which our nation and our cities were founded. It will further divide us as a city and as a nation. Pittsburgh joins tonight with other cities across the country and we stand ready to fight this unprecedented and this unconstitutional act. We will resist, with all powers at our disposal, any attempt to commandeer our local law enforcement officers into a national deportation army. Pittsburgh is, has been, and always will be a welcoming city and a diverse city. It's in our nature. We are a tough city, a blue collar city and a city with a big heart. We will continue to show everyone the respect and compassion they deserve - regardless of who they are, where they're from, who they love or how they found their way to our beloved city."
Providence, RI Mayor Jorge Elorza
“Today’s executive orders do not change what we believe here in Providence. We were founded on the principles of freedom and tolerance, we have always been a city of immigrants coming together to build something amazing. We will continue to maintain our current policy and continue to stand with our residents, regardless of race, place of birth or religion. We will not allow fear and intimidation to change what we believe and we will stand today, tomorrow and throughout the next four years, with every resident of Providence.”
San Francisco, CA Mayor Edwin Lee
“Now is the time for our cities and residents to take care of one another and remain strong in light of the efforts to divide us. We cannot allow for threats and politics to foster mistrust between our neighbors. If what President Trump truly wants is a safer America, then we must continue to fight for and urge Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform.”
San Jose, CA Mayor Sam Liccardo
“Nothing about the President's executive order will change how San Jose cops police our city. The San Jose Police Department’s longstanding policies relating to immigration enforcement are critical to keeping our community safe. Our police officers must focus their scarce time responding to and investigating violent, predatory and other high-priority crimes – not the enforcement of federal tax laws, federal securities laws, or federal immigration laws. There’s a broad consensus among major city police chiefs that having local officers meddle in federal immigration enforcement undermines public safety, and diminishes community trust. We need to ensure that all residents feel comfortable calling 911, reporting crimes, coming forward as witnesses, and testifying in court to help us keep criminals off the street."
Santa Fe, NM Mayor Javier M. Gonzales
“There is no executive order that will ever change the values of inclusivity that have helped our city thrive for more than 400 years, and today’s directive is no exception. We will not retreat from our policy, we are confident in our standing, and we are prepared to fight because we know that welcoming the remnants of a broken federal system is both morally and economically the right thing to do.”
Syracuse, NY Mayor Stephanie Miner
“The resources of the City of Syracuse, including the Syracuse Police Department, are not being used to enforce federal anti-immigrant policies nor are they empowered to do so. We do not intend to change this practice and will scrutinize any proposed changes at the federal level thoroughly. I pledge we will continue Syracuse’s commitment to our New American residents, building the trust and relationships our neighbors deserve and continue to treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve. Syracuse is now and always will be a City that bids you welcome.”
West Hollywood, CA Mayor Lauren Meister
“In West Hollywood, we treat people — all people — with respect, dignity, and thoughtfulness. President Trump’s executive actions to target sanctuary cities are reprehensible. The West Hollywood City Council has reaffirmed its core values and we have declared that our city will remain a sanctuary city. We will not participate in efforts to deport immigrants living or working in the City.”
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Santa Clara County Affirms Defense of Its Immigration Policies
On January 25, the Trump Administration took steps targeting the immigrant community by signing two executive orders focused on border security and immigration enforcement. The orders call for the “immediate” construction of a border wall between the United States and Mexico, the hiring of 5,000 additional border officers, expansion of detention centers along the U.S. – Mexico border, increase in deportations of undocumented immigrants, defunding of sanctuary cities and an end to the “catch and release” practice.
Congress Member Zoe Lofgren, 2/25/17
“We have known of Trump’s immigration plans for months now. His announcement yesterday is not entirely news to us. We have moved to build our own institutional walls to protect the interest of all of our residents, including those without proper documentation,” said Board President Dave Cortese. “We will assess the impact these orders will have on our County and residents but note that we will not back away from a legal fight if we must.”
Zahra Billoo from CAIR
Last month, the Board directed County administrators to prepare for anticipated changes in policies or regulations in the areas of immigration, healthcare, civil rights, housing, the environment and social services. In partnership with community organizations, other agencies and city governments, the County is:
Youth singing for Hope of a Better Future
- Developing legal strategies that could be used to stop a loss of revenue or protect residents’ civil rights.
- Creating a Federal Legislative Advocacy Task Force to keep the Board informed about the impacts of anticipated changes in policies, legislation and regulations, and to propose Board actions.
- Developing a plan through the Office of Immigrant Relations aimed to provide information to immigrants in multiple languages about their rights and where to seek services. Furthermore, the plan will create a partnership between legal service providers and community based organizations to provide legal representation to immigrant residents who may face deportation.
The County’s Office of Immigrant Relations, headed by Maria Love, will serve a critical role in communicating important information to the immigrant community as changes in federal immigration policy occur.
SCC Supervisor Dave Cortese
“My office will be a refuge to immigrant residents impacted by the new administration’s actions on immigration. We will connect any one in need of legal services and representation to trusted organizations,” said Love. “We will be a resource for information and support for those in need, and we encourage everyone to contact us without any fear.”
The Refugee Forum comes Together to plan Response to EOs
Links to Board of Supervisor Public Hearings on Hate Crimes, Woman’s Issues, & Immigration:
Hate crimes Jan 31 - http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=8710
Women’s Issues Jan 17 - http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=8600
Immigration Hearing Dec 15 - http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=7309
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County Passes a Resolution against the Muslim Ban
On Friday, January 27, 2017, President Donald Trump signed the “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States” executive order, calling for temporary suspension of visas to people from “terror-prone countries.”
The order also calls for the suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) for 120 days, an indefinite ban on the resettlement of Syrian refugees, and a reduction in the number of refugees allowed to enter the U.S. from about 110,000 just last year to no more than 50,000 in 2017. It further calls for the design and implementation of an “extreme vetting” process for any and all immigrants and visitors to the U.S.
“This type of action is nothing but a smokescreen and a license to discriminate against Muslims and immigrants. It is a xenophobic front disguised in the name of national security,” said Board President Dave Cortese. “Our County will not tolerate those who seek to harm others based on the difference of their faith or attempts to undermine the civil liberties of our American Muslim residents.”
Since the election, attacks against American Muslim and minority residents have heightened safety and security concerns among all County residents. “Advocates and members of the American Muslim community have approached and expressed their concerns to my office,” said Maria Love, Manager for the County’s Office of Immigrant Relations. “We don’t take those matters lightly and we will work collaboratively with the Board of Supervisors and District Attorney’s Office to send a clear message that hate crimes will not go unpunished.”
This Executive Order is now temporarily suspended based on pending litigation.
On, February 7, 2017, In a 5-0 vote, the Board of Supervisors passed “RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA URGING THE IMMEDIATE RESCISSION OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDER REGARDING THE ENTRY OF FOREIGN NATIONALS INTO THE UNITED STATES THAT WAS ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ON JANUARY 27, 2017”
The resolution states the following:
“WHEREAS, since its founding, the United States of America has been a nation of immigrants; and·
WHEREAS, throughout its history, the United States of America has welcomed people seeking refuge from war, famine, terrorism, and other atrocities occurring in other nations on every continent; and
WHEREAS, in 1948, Congress passed the federal "Displaced Persons Act of 1948" following World War II to aid in the settlement of 400,000 displaced persons; and
WHEREAS, the United States joined 145 other nations as parties to the 1967 United Nations Protocol on the status of refugees, and since 1975, the United States has accepted more than 3,300,000 refugees from the former Soviet Union, Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America; and
WHEREAS, throughout its history, the United States has benefited from the significant contributions of immigrants, asylum-seekers, and refugees who have become scientists, inventors, and entrepreneurs; and
WHEREAS, President Donald J. Trump signed a sweeping Executive Order on Friday, January 27, 2017, (January 27th Executive Order) that blocks as many as 218,000,000 people from entering the United States; and
WHEREAS, the January 27th Executive Order prohibits entry of any refugee awaiting re-settlement in the United States for 120 days, including refugees who had already received visas; and
WHEREAS, the January 27th Executive Order also bars citizens of seven primarily Muslim countries - Iraq, Iran, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, and Yemen from entering the United States for 90 days, including students and workers who had already received visas; and
WHEREAS, the January 27th Executive Order bars entry by all Syrian refugees into the United States for an indefinite period of time, including people who had already received visas; and
WHEREAS, since its signing, the January 27th Executive Order has had a grave impact on individuals, families, and businesses around the globe; and
WHEREAS, individuals and families who hold visas, green cards, or dual citizenship have been detained, delayed, or refused entry to the United States since the January 27th Executive Order took effect; and
WHEREAS, those individuals who have been denied expedient entry into the United States include individuals who have aided the United States' armed forces in various theaters of armed conflict, including Afghanistan and Iraq; and
WHEREAS, the January 27th Executive Order has a disproportionate impact on Muslims; and
WHEREAS, the preference of one religion over another is contrary to the traditions, statutes, and the Constitution of the United States; and
WHEREAS, religious, civic, and business leaders, including clergy of various faiths and denominations, leaders of many of America's largest companies, and elected officials belonging to both major political parties have all publicly expressed strong opposition to the January 27th Executive Order and its implications; and
WHEREAS, the January 27th Executive Order runs counter to the values of this nation enshrined by our founders in the Declaration of Independence, affirmed by our Constitution of the United States and statutory law, and celebrated by many of our national symbols, including the Statue of Liberty; and
WHEREAS, federal judges in at least five states have partially blocked the enforcement of the January 27th Executive Order; and WHEREAS, in particular, some federal judges have found that there is a strong likelihood that the January 27th Executive Order violates the Due Process and Equal Protection guarantees of the United States Constitution and that enforcement of the January 27th Executive Order is likely to cause irreparable harm; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Clara supports that the United States should continue to thoroughly review refugee, asylum, and immigration applications on an individual basis to ensure that those entering the country do not pose a threat to public safety, but such reviews should be conducted without establishing a blanket ban on all refugees or immigrants from particular countries and religions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the President of the United States should immediately rescind the January 27th Executive Order; and Absent immediate action by the President of the United States, Congress should act to supersede and render moot the President's January 27th Executive Order and, in doing so, restore certainty and predictability to United States immigration law and affirm, as a matter of policy, the promise of liberty and freedom to people around the world who are facing hardship.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be sent to Representative Anna Eshoo, Representative Ro Khanna, Representative Zoe Lofgren, Representative Jackie Speier, Senator Diane Feinstein, and Senator Kamala Harris.
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Office of Immigrant Relations to Hold Annual Beacon of Light Awards
The United States has a deep-rooted history as a nation of immigrants. Immigrants have contributed countless hours of work, their own capital and ingenuity to help develop the Valley of the Hearts Delight into Silicon Valley. The Statue of Liberty has long been a symbol of welcoming to numerous immigrant communities. The Beacon of Light Awards are given as a symbol of the torch that is held by the Statue of Liberty. The light of the torch is a reflection of the hopes and the dreams and welcoming of immigrants into a fresh beginning in a new country and in recognition of immigrant contributions.
On May 19, 2017, The Office of Immigrant Relations (OIR) will hold its tenth annual Beacon of Light awards. The Beacon of Light Awards are given out to recognize individuals and organizations for their outstanding work in improving the lives of immigrants in Santa Clara County. Information regarding the nomination process is forthcoming.
To RSVP to the Beacon of Light Awards go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beacon-of-light-awards-2017-tickets-31649535613
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Highlighting Immigrant Stories: Matra Majmundar's Story
Matra (second left) and family
In 1975 Matra immigrated as an Occupational Therapist and her fiancée came as a graduate student to the University of California at Berkeley. They got married in the USA.
Matra could not find a job in the Bay Area and she moved to Los Angeles. After working two years in Los Angeles, she got a job in Santa Clara County and moved back to rejoin her husband. He finished his masters in operational research and started working in the Bay Area. A few years later, her husband Raj started a consulting company.
Now Matra works at the Stanford Hospital and teaches there as well. She has also participated in research on stroke at the VA Hospital. Matra serves on the board of the International Association of Yoga Therapy (IAYT). She is a certified yoga therapist and at Stanford, where she integrated therapeutic yoga into the healing plans for various patient populations.
In 1980, she became a naturalized American Citizen and with the help of her husband they brought Matra’s parents and sibling to the USA. This was a great benefit to their children.
Matra was a founder of the Indo-American Community Service Centre (ICSC), a major organization that provides support to East Indian families that struggle with issues like depression, domestic violence, and raising bi-cultural children. ICSC acquired a full fledge nonprofit status as an independent family service agency through the United Way incubator program and now offers a wide scope of services to the community. After running the ICSC for 15 years she decided to give back to the mainstream community.
Matra was also on the board of the Society for Art and Cultural Heritage of India (SACHI) that collaborates with South Asian education departments such as Stanford and Berkeley Universities to increase Indian art and cultural awareness in the Bay Area.
She joined The Palo Alto Family Y and Chaired the Diversity Wellness Committee. At present, she is chairing the Healthy Living Committee at the Y. She has two daughters: one lives in Mountain View and works for Air BnB in the City. Another daughter works for the Time Magazine Inc. and lives in New York City. As an immigrant to a new country, one goes through a process of adaptation to new customs. Even though in India Matra learned English, initially she had a hard time understanding American English. She took classes on the American English pronunciation and listened to the English conversation tapes.
Raising children in the USA
Matra feels it is challenging to raise children in the USA. Her first daughter was the only East Indian girl in a predominantly white school and she went a through very hard time getting accepted among her peers. Fortunately there was help and support from Matra’s parents who are very patient, progressive and very well educated about various child rearing techniques.
Matra, Raj and Matra’s parents shared stories about India, its customs and festivals in their daughters’ classrooms. Their home was open to their children’s friends. At home, they had fun cooking sessions. Even though believing in giving freedom to children and encouraging independence, they did not sleep well during their daughters’ teenage years. Most worrisome was children going out with friends at night and returning home very late at night or sometimes early morning.
In India, Matra’s parents gave her lots of freedom that was greatly appreciated and she stayed within social norms. She valued the trust and freedom from her parents and became even more responsible. Somehow Matra did not feel same with her own children raised in USA. They focused pretty much on their own needs. Today however, her two daughters are very open and close to their parents.
Matra has received many awards including, an Art of Caring Award from Stanford University, an Asian Hero Award from Santa Clara County, the Carpendale Award for leadership from The Palo Alto Family Y, a Distinguished Service Award from the Federation of India Association and a Leadership Award from the Indian Women Empowered (IWE) organization.
Matra was interviewed at a Palo Alto YMCA Diversity Celebration and subsequently edited her account.
Source: madeintoamerica.org
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