**Immigrant Rights Groups Rally in LA Against Fear of Mass Deportations**

Groups supporting immigrant rights gathered with faith and labor organizations in downtown Los Angeles to protest against the renewed threat of mass deportations.

Eight years ago, just after Donald Trump's presidential election victory, immigrant rights leaders, including then Senator-elect Kamala Harris, held a news conference at the office of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) to address fears sparked by Trump’s deportation promises. On Thursday, two days following Trump's re-election, CHIRLA and a larger coalition organized a rally outside Los Angeles City Hall.

“He promised mass deportation of our communities. We cannot allow that to happen,” declared Masih Fouladi, executive director of the California Immigrant Policy Center. “This is the time for us to organize and to build power with our community.”

Various labor, faith, and immigrant rights groups reaffirmed their dedication to supporting those concerned about deportation. “I want you to know that you are not alone,” said Angelica Salas, executive director of CHIRLA.

Yajaira, who juggles multiple jobs including housekeeping, voiced the deep-seated fears within the immigrant community. She and her husband, who works in construction, have called the U.S. home for 25 years. “Fear again invades our entire immigrant community," she said tearfully, "but that same fear also makes us strong.”

Nana Gyamfi, Executive Director of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration, sang a civil rights movement freedom song upon approaching the podium. She stressed the significant influence of the civil rights movement on immigration legislation, including the Immigration and Naturalization Act. “Permanent protection for 11 million people in this country who have been waiting for years for those protections,” Gyamfi urged, emphasizing the need for protections without criminal bars that adversely impact Black migrants. She highlighted how immigration policies disproportionately harm Black immigrants. “We know that until Black people are free, no one will be free,” she asserted.

Speakers also urged Los Angeles city officials to take legislative steps. “While the City Council unanimously passed a sanctuary city motion, we are still waiting for the ordinance language to be presented,” said Martha Arévalo, executive director for the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN). “The time to do that is now.”