Terrorizing Immigrant Communities: Centro Legal de la Raza's Fight for Justice

Strategic Insights -

As policies targeting immigrant communities become increasingly stringent, the nonprofit organization Centro Legal de la Raza is working tirelessly to advocate for their rights. Led by executive director Monique Berlanga and deputy director Maciel Jacques, the Oakland-based nonprofit offers a range of services to help immigrants navigate the complex and often fraught immigration process. Centro Legal de la Raza is not only providing critical legal support but also driving collective action and pushing for policy change to embed justice and dignity in Alameda County institutions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Centro Legal de la Raza is serving as the backbone for coalitions across housing, workers' rights, and immigration in Alameda County, providing coordination, strategy, and resource sharing to meet the needs of the community.
  • The organization has seen a significant drop in participation at food distribution sites and school-based programs due to fear and instability caused by current immigration policies, affecting community health, education, and trust.
  • Centro Legal de la Raza has reactivated the Alameda County Immigration Legal and Education Partnership (ACILEP), a rapid response and education network, to provide verification, legal screenings, and emergency legal support, as well as Know Your Rights education in multiple languages, to those affected by ICE activity.
  • The organization's long-term strategy involves building community power through collective action, data collection, and policy change to address issues such as evictions, wage theft, and healthcare for immigrant communities.
  • Centro Legal de la Raza urgently needs funding to continue providing critical services to the community, with the potential for increased impact and community support with more resources.

Statistics:

  • The organization has seen a significant drop in participation at food distribution sites and school-based programs, with community members staying in their homes and avoiding public spaces due to fear.
  • Centro Legal de la Raza is leveraging its legal expertise through strategic direct services and action to challenge unjust systems, with reported success in supporting clients and advocating for policy change.
  • The Alameda County Immigration Legal and Education Partnership (ACILEP) has mobilized to respond to reports of ICE activity, providing emergency support to affected communities, and offering verification, legal screenings, and education on Know Your Rights.

Sources:

  • The San Francisco Foundation
  • Centro Legal de la Raza
  • Monique Berlanga, executive director of Centro Legal de la Raza
  • Maciel Jacques, deputy director of Centro Legal de la Raza