On March 13, Rep. Bass hosted a town hall meeting called “Immigration State of Emergency: Understanding Your Rights and Resources.” The meeting, which was attended by over 100 constituents, was held at the Community Coalition in South Los Angeles.
“In light of recent events, I wanted to assure that we all know our rights and what resources are available to assist those in need of help,” Rep. Bass said. “The DHS memos set the President up to execute an early campaign pledge to create a massive deportation force that he could use to deport millions.”
Additional resources and information were provided by Councilman Marqueese Harris-Dawson, the Los Angeles Fire Department and a 311 spokesman. Panelists from the Immigrant Rights Project, Black Alliance for Just Immigration, Immigrant Defenders Law Center, Equal Justice Works, and Betzetic Legal Services fielded questions ranging from recent ICE raids to Trump’s policy impact on the mentality of LAUSD students.
“Kids are terrified,” one woman said. “Is there any way to have someone come to our schools to ease the concerns that students have about deportation?” Another parent brought up their concern about protecting English Language School students.
“These are real concerns that people are living with every single day,” Rep. Bass said. “The administration is not only doing nothing to address or assuage these concerns, they are adding to it every day with fear-mongering rhetoric and bigoted policy. It makes people scared. That’s why I’m holding this town hall, it’s critical we separate rumor from fact and that people understand that there are resources out there for help.”
