Bay Area officials reassure immigrants they will be protected, despite looming deportations

In response to President Trump's heightened immigration enforcement, California officials are uniting to assure immigrant communities they will not be intimidated. Leaders emphasize their commitment to sanctuary policies and protecting the rights of immigrants. Chris Iglesias of Unity Council stated that they are prepared to resist federal threats, highlighting the community's resilience. State Senator Jesse Arreguin reinforced the state's readiness to challenge federal executive orders with necessary funding. Local councils, such as Berkeley, are reaffirming their status as sanctuary cities, showcasing a strong stance against federal pressures on immigrant populations.

"We are well prepared. We are not scared. We will protect our immigrant families, and we will continue to thrive no matter who is president," said Chris Iglesias, chief executive officer for Unity Council.

"Come at me. We are here to protect the safety of our residents. California is a sanctuary state and it's critical that we remain a sanctuary state," said Jesse Arreguin, CA State Senator.

"The money that the state legislature will be approving tomorrow will provide our attorney general the resources to be able to fight these executive orders and unjust policies the Trump administration is putting forward," said Senator Arreguin.

"We, in Alameda County, are a sanctuary county and we are unapologetic about it. We are home to over half a million immigrants and refugees," said Lena Tam, vice president of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.

Read at ABC7 San Francisco