In front of a gathering of 500 frightened and angry immigrant families on Sunday, the mayor of Richmond, California agreed to formally protest recent raids by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS’ enforcement wing, Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE, has arrested 119 people in Contra Costa County over the past few weeks in an operation purportedly targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records. However, only 18 of those arrested were criminals. Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO) hastily organized the public meeting to call on officials from the effected areas to take a stand.

Media Coverage:

Officials Meet with Public to Soothe Fears
Immigration Agents Posed as Cops
Uniforms, Methods of ICE Agents at Issue
Fight Over Rights
Residents Say Raids Unlawful
Richmond Pledges to Keep Immigrants Feeling Safe
Richmond Calls for End to Raids

Cathedral City, CA is building a new sanitary central sewer, making septic systems unnecessary for the first time. Inland Congregations United for Change (ICUC) worked closely with the city to establish an assesment district, Dream Homes, that will receive more than $9 million for the improvements, including funds to cover the rebuilding of streets, curbs, and gutters. A remarkable 89.9% of voters approved the district due to strong neighborhod organzing by ICUC leaders.

Media Coverage
Much Needed Water Improvements Won in Cathedral City
Drenajes, Ciudad, Ciudadanos y Cinegético
Cathedral City Groundbreaking