Fresno

Unaccompanied migrant children living in Fresno face greater challenges than their coastal counterparts when it comes to fighting to stay in the U.S.

For Nkosi, a double major in sociology and history at UC Santa Cruz allowed him to connect his experiences with his interest in black U.S. history, the Civil Rights Movement, and the contemporary moment. The historical roots of racial, economic, and social inequality illuminate today's injustices—and fuel his desire to make a positive contribution in the world.

Representatives Valadao, Costa, McCarthy, Denham, McClintock, McNerney and Nunes: As the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin and a DACA recipient who lives, works and worships in Fresno, respectively, we write to you because we believe that protecting the dignity of every human being is central to our national interests.

In the face of escalated ICE enforcement, faith communities in Fresno and across the Central Valley rallied support to accompany and defend families threatened with militarized immigration enforcement.

In order to build powerful relationships with the next Governor and demonstrate the power and unique concerns of the Central Valley, local families shared their stories and talked about local concerns...

The Supreme Court refused on Monday to fast-track the Trump administration’s directive for DACA to end next week, buying time for nearly 700,000 people like Hernandez who have received work permits and been temporarily protected from deportation through the program. About 18,000 people in Fresno, Tulare and Madera counties qualify for DACA. “You hear they’re working on a solution, but at the same time you see all the attacks and ICE raids here in the Valley, so you don’t know what to expect.”

Faith in the Valley, a grassroots organization that represents around 120 congregations in the central San Joaquin Valley, is encouraged by the launch of the registry. But “this first step took almost a year since the program was passed and our families had to endure yet another winter in substandard housing,” said organizer Lety Valencia. “We pray the city of Fresno will not continue to delay and (will) start the proactive inspections as urgently and efficiently as possible.

Numerous cities have dedicated public money to similar efforts in the face of increased immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, including Los Angeles and Chicago. But the Fresno City Council voted down a proposal in June to contribute public money to such a legal defense fund. “Even so, our community did not leave that day feeling defeated. We felt empowered,” Faith in Fresno organizer Sukaina Hussain said.