Access a recording of today’s virtual briefing HERE
WASHINGTON – Today, United Farm Workers (UFW) and the UFW Foundation held a press briefing to address the devastating impact of recent immigration raids in Bakersfield, California. The raids have caused widespread fear and disruption in communities already grappling with the threats of mass deportations by the incoming administration. The briefing brought together UFW and UFW Foundation leaders, who emphasized the widespread fear and anxiety caused by these raids, the critical need for solidarity with affected families, and contested Border Patrol disinformation around the scope of the operation and the nature of impacted community members.
Areli Arteaga, United Farm Workers Political/Legislative Director said: “Since last Tuesday, January 7th, the UFW has been flooded with calls from workers in Kern County asking for help and guidance after the recasting Border Patrol raids in the community. Despite Border Patrol’s demonstrably false claim that this raid was targeting criminals, we believe that this operation went far beyond that. We are heartbroken to share that two UFW members were detained by Border Patrol and are now in Mexico. Both members had lived and worked in the United States for more than 15 years; one leaves behind two children under 10 years old, the other leaves behind 4 children, between 4 and 10 years old. In both cases, this is a farm worker family that has lost a father, a husband, and the primary breadwinner. This is the heartbreaking reality of mass deportation threats that have already emboldened individuals to sow devastation in our communities amongst the very hardworking immigrant workers who harvest all our food.”
Antonio De Loera-Brust, United Farm Workers Communications Director said: “Among the dangerous consequences of this sort of immigration raid can be a chilling effect in the workplace. We know that undocumented workers who are afraid of getting deported are less likely to speak out against wage theft or workplace abuse. The widespread fear and anxiety caused by Border Patrol across Kern County last week is now an added challenge for the UFW as we continue to organize farm workers of all immigration status to win the better wages and working conditions that the workers who feed America deserve. As such, these raids also run the real risk of lowering wages and workplace conditions for U.S. citizen workers as well.”
Ambar Tovar, UFW Foundation Director of Legal Services said: “Last week’s Border Patrol operation in Kern County was a scare tactic to terrorize farm workers and the immigrant community on their way to and from work. This sudden operation comes at a time when farm workers and immigrant residents are already terrified of the threat of mass deportations promised by the incoming administration. Border Patrol conducted this intensive operation by racially profiling innocent people and processing them more than 300 miles away from their loved ones. Farm workers are the backbone of America’s food supply, and this Border Patrol operation sought to destroy the very fabric that feeds this nation.”
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