Los Angeles Coalition for Universal Representation Celebrates City Council’s Endorsement of La Justice Fund

Today, the LA City Council voted overwhelmingly (11-1) in support of the LA Justice Fund, a public-private partnership to provide deportation defense for immigrants facing the threat of removal. The City Council approved $2 million for the first two years of the program, to complement $3 million from the County and $5 million from private foundations.

Statement Regarding Romulo Avelica

On Friday, June 16, without opposition from the City Attorney and on the ground of a legal invalidity, a judge granted the request of Romulo Avelica to vacate his 1998 misdemeanor conviction for receipt of stolen property. Mr. Avelica is an undocumented father of four U.S. citizen children and long-time Los Angeles resident whose arrest by immigration agents while dropping his daughters at school on February 28, 2017 sparked widespread outrage. The conviction, which stemmed from an incident involving Mr. Avelica’s display of a vehicle registration sticker that he had not purchased, had previously led federal immigration authorities to hold him ineligible for certain forms of relief from deportation. As part of the vacatur, Mr. Avelica re-pled to a lesser vehicle code violation in relation to the incident. A judge had previously vacated Mr. Avelica’s only other misdemeanor conviction on grounds of legal invalidity, for which Mr. Avelica also re-pled to a lesser vehicle code violation.

Major Immigrant & Civil Rights Organizations Call for Summer of Non-Compliance Against Hate Legislation (SB4) in Texas #BastaTexas #OrganizeTX

The passage of Senate Bill 4 in Texas has set a new precedent for the prohibition of sanctuary cities and will open the door to the systematic targeting, profiling, and harassment of all Texans by Trump-inspired law enforcement. Since its passage, organizations and advocacy groups from around the country have been ramping up efforts to challenge its constitutional standing and prepare local communities from around the state for increased enforcement and to defend themselves from violations of their rights. On Monday, seasoned activists from the fight against Arizona’s SB1070 joined Texas community leaders and organizations to launch the “Summer of Resistance” against SB4. 

Community Calls on City Attorney and Court to Vacate Unjust Conviction of Immigrant Father Imprisoned by ICE Since February Arrest Outside of Elementary School

Family and community leaders will gather outside of LA Superior Court Friday morning to support Romulo Avelica, the father of 4 US citizen daughters in ICE custody since February 28. His arrest while dropping his daughters off at school has garnered international outrage. Mr. Avelica is asking a court to vacate a minor decades-old conviction.