The Alameda County Immigration Legal and Education Partnership (ACILEP) responded to an emergency hotline call in the early morning of August 16, 2017, regarding United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity at an immigrant family home on the 700 block of 27th Street in Oakland. Several ACILEP rapid responders and an immigration attorney arrived to document the incident and provide legal support. In addition, dozens of immigrant rights activists and community members showed up in solidarity to protest the enforcement action.
One individual was detained by ICE and is currently in custody. The detention appears to be a collateral arrest incident to the execution of a federal search warrant of the family’s home. The Oakland Police Department, who was present at the enforcement activity, has alleged the action is part of an ongoing human trafficking investigation by ICE and not a civil enforcement action but those claims have not been substantiated.
Following is a statement from Jackie Gonzalez, immigration policy director at Centro Legal de la Raza:
“ACILEP is steadfastly committed to investigating the details surrounding today’s enforcement action both to preserve the safety of our community and ensure Oakland exercises its role as a sanctuary city. The Partnership will also specifically continue to provide legal support and services to the affected family and individual.”
Malena Mayorga, ACILEP rapid response coordinator from Mujeres Unidas y Activas, added:
“ICE enforcement activity tears our communities apart. ACILEP will continue to fight for justice and to uphold due process rights for individuals and families affected by the devastating impact of our inhumane immigration system.”
Alameda County Immigration Legal & Education Partnership (ACILEP) is a partnership of Centro Legal de la Raza, Alameda County Public Defender’s Office, Black Alliance for Just Immigration, California Immigrant Youth Justice Alliance, Causa Justa/Just Cause, The Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, Mujeres Unidas y Activas, Oakland Community Organizations, Street Level Health, and Vietnamese American Community Center of the East Bay.
ACILEP responds to the critical need for legal services, know your rights education and rapid response services when there is an immigration enforcement action in Alameda County. It operates a 24-hour multi-lingual emergency hotline – where this action was reported – for individuals to call to report ICE enforcement activity and to request support for people facing the immediate threat of deportation. ACILEP’s hotline is 510-241-4011.