SAN DIEGO – June 9, 2025 – The ICE raid at Buona Forchetta restaurant on Friday, May 30, shocked the city and county of San Diego. The militant tactics of ICE are an affront to a region where immigrant communities are vital to the social and economic fabric. For decades, immigrants have provided the essential labor to build our county and to care for our residents.
The League of Women Voters of San Diego and the LWV of North County San Diego stand in solidarity with our immigrant communities. The LWV supports a system that allows individuals living in the country without legal permission to earn legal status, including citizenship, by paying taxes, studying civics, and meeting other relevant criteria. Until meaningful policy reform is achieved, the League stands against deporting these immigrants who have no history of major and/or violent criminal activity.
The League supports the following criteria for legal admission to the United States:
- Family reunification of spouses or minor children with authorized immigrants or citizens
- Flight from persecution or response to humanitarian crises in home countries
- U. S. economic, business, and employment needs
- U. S. education and training needs
- Educational program opportunities
- Lack of a history of major and/or violent criminal activity
The LWV supports the right of all individuals, including immigrants, to fair treatment under the law, including due process, the right to a fair hearing and appeal, and humane treatment.
The current Presidential administration’s policy of having daily quotas for ICE round-ups is leading to the detention and deportation of people with no criminal record and who are contributing in a positive way to our society.
The claim of a so-called “national emergency” to expand presidential powers and justify mass deportations is being challenged in court as violating the Constitution’s separation of powers and the Alien Enemies Act. The real emergency is the decimation of the security and well-being of long-standing immigrant communities whose lives and families are being upended.
We call on the public to denounce these violations of constitutional principles and human dignity. Let us stand together in defense of due process, humane treatment, and a fair, just immigration system.
About the League of Women Voters
Founded in 1920, The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots civic organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. With over 100 years of experience, the League is one of America’s oldest and most trusted civic nonprofit organizations. Learn more about San Diego's local League chapters at: lwvsandiego.org and lwvncsd.org
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