Statement on Recent ICE Raids and Keeping Our Immigrant Communities Safe

San Francisco Democrats,

Over the past two weeks, the Trump Administration has carried out aggressive immigration detentions and sweeps throughout California. Restaurant employees, garment workers, even children as young as three years old have been detained by ICE in the name of “enforcement” of federal immigration policies. These raids have taken place at restaurants, factories, government buildings, and even attempts at schools. 

Last Wednesday, at least 15 people including 4 children were detained at immigration check-ins in San Francisco. On Friday, ICE had violent clashes with protesters in Los Angeles, injuring and arresting respected SEIU labor leader David Huerta in the process. To escalate the situation, Trump dispatched 2,000 members of the National Guard to confront protestors even though our Governor has not asked for any assistance and in fact has told Trump that his activation of the National Guard was illegal. 

I never thought I would see this here: the reckless use of military-style tactics against unarmed civilians, the intentional fomenting of fear in immigrant communities, violation of a state’s sovereignty under the guise of “insurrection.” What Trump is doing is un-American. Plain and simple. 

The immigration actions in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and across the state are cruel and inhumane. We the People have a constitutional right to protest our government. We also have a moral imperative to speak out against the tyrannical actions of Trump and his Administration, including the unlawful deployment of National Guard troops.

But what happened in Los Angeles cannot happen in San Francisco. Trump delights in the images of cars on fire and the military on the streets. Our protests against ICE must be peaceful so there is no question about the lawfulness of our actions. This past weekend, I joined labor leaders, community representatives, immigrants’ rights advocates, and fellow Democratic Party officials to commit that the San Francisco Democratic Party will support and partner with efforts to stop ICE raids, keep our residents safe, and educate community members about their rights and means of peaceful protest. 

Finally, as Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel once said, “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” 

In solidarity,
Nancy Tung
Chair, San Francisco Democratic Party