Mass Deportation: How History Shapes The Coming Fight

During the Great Depression, so-called Mexican Repatriation efforts included the forced deportation of more than a million Mexican and Mexican-Americans, a period that devastated tens of thousands of California families and left lasting scars on communities throughout the State. Two decades later, “Operation Wetback” under President Eisenhower found more than one million Mexican workers, a vast majority working in California, deported under a campaign with a racist name and military-style removal tactics. Earlier, In the late 1800s, the Chinese were the target of the first significant immigration crackdown, including the removal of workers.

How does this history inform the fight now against possible mass deportation efforts that could impact millions of Californians?

Please join us for a special afternoon conversation on the last business day before the inauguration of a new administration that has made mass deportation a cornerstone of its domestic policy plans. Hear from key State and local leaders about how history has shaped their views of the current moment and how they and their institutions are preparing to fight, including new legislation recently passed by the California State Senate memorializing past deportation efforts in California history as well as other community-led efforts.

Speakers:

California State Senator Josh Becker (D - Menlo Park).

Senator Becker represents the residents of California’s 13th Senate District, which comprises most of San Mateo County and the northern part of Santa Clara County

Kevin R. Johnson

Distinguished Professor of Law, Mabie-Apallas Professor of Public Interest Law and Martin Luther King Jr. Professor of Law, Professor of Chicana/o Studies, UC Davis

Christian Arana, Vice President of Civic Power and Policy

Latino Community Foundation

California State Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D - District 20)

Liz Ortega represents Assembly District 20, which includes Hayward, San Leandro, most of Union City, portions of Dublin and Pleasanton, and the unincorporated communities of Ashland, Cherryland, Fairview, and San Lorenzo.

Sarah Souza

Immigrant Rights Advocate, DACA Recipient

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