The Fresno County Democratic Central Committee has not endorsed any candidate in this race.
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As a first generation American, whose parents immigrated to this country from Taiwan, I know how it feels like to be looked at as “the other.” I know what it’s like to be treated as a second-class citizen and for your livelihood to be threatened.
It’s hard for me to imagine how difficult it would be to face the same as a young undocumented immigrant, constantly facing the threat of deportation to a land I could barely remember — or had never known.
But my friend Brenda knows what it’s like. She joined this campaign as an intern, and impressed me so much that we hired her onboard full-time after she graduated from UCLA.
Under President Obama, our nation made a promise to people like Brenda — and thousands of our neighbors — that if they came forward and registered, we’d give them the chance to live and work legally, earn an education, and make our nation stronger through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. And thanks to DACA, I was able to hire the best candidate for a critical position on my team: Brenda.
Trump’s rescinding of the DACA program is a betrayal. But I will not turn my back on my brothers and sisters, or stand on the side of division and hate.
California is the most powerful economy in the United States because of our diversity. We embrace it and we welcome it with open arms. That’s what makes us exceptional.
Since DACA was implemented, approximately 223,000 Dreamers — young undocumented immigrants who’ve lived in the United States since they were children — registered with the Department of Homeland Security in California alone.
These Californians, and 800,000 who’ve registered across the country, deserve to become lawful, productive members of our society. And the vast majority of Americans agree. Over 78 percent of voters support giving Dreamers like Brenda the chance to stay in the country permanently.
But President Trump refused to stand with them. Not only is his decision heartless and out-of-touch — it’s bad business. Our nation stands to lose $460.3 billion from the national GDP over the next ten years, and California alone could lose $11.6 billion annually.
But if we urge Congress to act now, before the Trump administration begins mass deportations of Dreamers, we can keep their families together and build a stronger future for our nation and for California.
Thanks for your support. And to all of you who are scared for your future after Trump’s announcement, I want you to know: I will always fight to ensure you have a home here in California.
In solidarity,
John
