According to community leaders, widespread immigration enforcement in Southern California has primarily influenced Latino communities, but families of Asian Americans and Pacific islanders have also been devastated by the ongoing ice attacks.
Nonprofits and advocacy groups say escalating tensions and reinforced operations are quietly tearing the AAPI community apart, saying at Little Tokio’s press conference.
“We don’t think it’s happening in our community, so if you support what’s going on right now, your family is already torn apart, so think about it again,” said Manjusha Kulkarni, executive director of the AAPI Equity Alliance.
Many of the detention occurs often in public, according to Connie Chung Joe, CEO of Asian Americans, advancing social justice in Southern California.
“In many cases, people see them being taken directly from their homes or taken from court,” Jung Jo said. “Our Asian community is scared of sending their kids to school. They are scared of going to work.”
Leaders also continue to inform community members and encourage them to be prepared for what happens.
“It’s only a matter of time before the ice knocks on the doors of tens of thousands of undocumented Asian families living in Los Angeles,” Kulkarni said.
It was also announced at a press conference that several AAPI organisations will take part in a city-wide anti-immigration enforcement demonstration on July 1st in Immigration Day and Solidarity.
“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders stand in all Angelenos, especially with the Latino community. They can ask for immediate seizure of the attack,” Kulkarni said.
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