For Immediate Release
Jan. 31st, 2025
Contacts:
Palmira Figueroa, pfigueroa@ndlon.org, (425) 301-2764

RECKLESS RUMORS, NEEDLESS FEAR

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 31 – With the Trump Administration’s dangerous immigration raids spreading anxiety and fear across the country, the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) is imploring responsible parties – especially government officials and the news media – not to make a bad situation worse.

The following is a statement from Chris Newman, NDLON’s legal director:

“Please don’t spread unconfirmed rumors. Don’t give oxygen to Trump’s lies. Don’t say Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is doing raids without first gathering underlying facts.  And even then, be mindful of the broader effect your words might have across immigrant communities.”

Newman warned that reckless official statements might lead some immigrants to also unwittingly spread misinformation as they try to keep their neighbors and friends safe. This has happened in Pasadena, he said, where the fire disaster has led to a massive outpouring of support and solidarity. “FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is a part of the Department of Homeland Security, and so is ICE,” Newman said. “So when people see trucks marked DHS in Pasadena, they might mistakenly and understandably confuse FEMA (the helpers) with ICE (the arresters).”

“People are unwittingly amplifying Trump’s message,” Newman said. “This is exactly what the Trump Administration wants – fear.  He obviously wants to gin up fear of immigrants among his supporters, and he wants immigrant communities to be terrified of him and of government agencies in general.”

But Newman pointed out that fear can be overcome – with facts, with lawyers, with media attention, and with a population of courageous people who know and exert their Constitutional rights against unjust surveillance, interrogation and arrest.

“The Trump administration is never going to force every one of the millions of immigrants out of their jobs, homes or country. But that won’t stop them from trying to use mass fear to provoke mass self-deportations. They want to make every immigrant and everyone who loves them afraid. We won’t let them succeed.”

Newman urge immigrants to learn the truth through NDLON’s know-your-rights online resources, available at conocetusderechos.org and knowyourrightsundertrump.org. NDLON’s “No More Lies” (“No Más Mentiras”) video campaign is also available here.  And he urged public officials to clarify their local policies, particularly those that prohibit collusion with ICE.

Meanwhile, the Pasadena Community Job Center, at 500 N. Lake Ave., is now in its fourth week as a hub for disaster relief for residents of Pasadena and Altadena hit hard by the Eaton Fire. Thanks to an overwhelming surge of generosity from donors and volunteers, the Center, at 500 N. Lake Ave., is offering shelter, food, water, relief supplies, cleanup and debris removal, timely information and other support to members, neighbors and friends. 

NDLON laborers have also formed a Volunteer Fire Relief Brigade that is clearing fire debris and fallen tree limbs, and delivering essential resources like food, water, medicine, PPE, and masks to those in need. The Brigade will also provide training on fire safety, workers’ rights and health protection during recovery efforts.

Many videos, photos, interviews and stories are available through NDLON’s Radio Jornalera and social media platforms. NDLON’s efforts are centered on mutual aid and solidarity, guided by the principle “Solo el Pueblo Salva al Pueblo” – only the people save the people.

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