DOWNTOWN, LOS ANGELES–This week Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price was joined by The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), and The Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) to announce a $1.25 Million Immigration Relief Fund benefiting District 9 residents.
Curren Price was elected to L.A City Council in 2013 and continues to represent the zip code that I was raised in South Central, which is one of the poorest zip codes in L.A County. This district also includes a high number of foreign-born residents, many of whom are Latino(a).
“With these new funds, these immigrant rights giants will expand upon the work that they’ve been carrying out for years in South LA,” said Price.
“Today, we have a new federal administration but the fight for immigrant rights continues. With a federal government that continues to fall short, families in District 9 do not have the luxury of waiting for them to take action. We must protect our immigrants and acknowledge that they make up the rich tapestry of our City and our nation.”
The comprehensive immigration relief fund includes:
- $500,000 for The Coalition For Humane Immigrants Rights (CHIRLA)
- $500,00 for The Central American Resource Center (CARECEN)
- $250,000 for The Black Alliance For Just Immigration (BAJI)
The Black Alliance For Just Immigration (BAJI) Los Angeles works to support Black migrants and push for racial justice. The Coalition For Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) was founded in 1986 to empower and immigrant communities through civic engagement and advocacy. In 2001, CHIRLA helped win passage of California’s AB540, allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at colleges and universities. The Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) provides legal and integration services for Central American migrants and has offices in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.
This fund is a great resource for our undocumented neighbors in Los Angeles, many of whom are Latino but the reality of Black migrants continue to be overshadowed. BAJI highlights the fact that last year, nearly 50,000 Black migrants showed up to the U.S Southern border seeking refuge. The stories of Black migrants are overshadowed when they too experience immediate detention, with huge bonds attached and lack the access to funds or the advocacy of immigrants rights groups.
Nana Gyamfi, Executive Director of BAJI, says that BAJI is grateful to Councilman Price for his continued commitment to addressing the legal support and outreach efforts of BAJI and the need for migrant support in District 9.
“The Councilman’s launch of the District 9 Justice Fund and intentional inclusion of BAJI is historic for Black migrants, our families, and communities. Black migrants are a fast-growing population, visible in all areas of City life, but too often invisible in policy considerations and conversations about immigration happening in City Hall. Councilman Price asked us what Black migrant communities needed, which was a Justice Fund and he delivered.”
