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Multilingual campaign reassures undocumented immigrants in San Diego to not fear reporting crime [1]

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Date: 2022-12-31  

“So far, the DA’s Office has printed cards in English, Spanish, Farsi and Ukrainian, which encourage refugees and immigrants, whether undocumented or documented, who are victims or witnesses of a crime to report the incident to law enforcement,” the office said. “Police departments, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s Office are only concerned about the details of the crime, not an individual’s immigration status.”

“The San Diego District Attorney’s Office does not, in accordance with California law, report immigration status and does not tolerate any actions intended to interfere with or retaliate against potential crime witnesses,” the office continued.

It's needed reassurance when legal statuses have been used against immigrants by domestic partners and employers and law enforcement alike. But while state law intends to protect the privacy of undocumented people, they may not be aware of that, and may hesitate from reporting abuse and other crime to law enforcement as a result. The office has produced videos in both English and Spanish to help spread this information:

This is particularly important to address in San Diego Country, where more than 21% of the population are immigrants and refugees, the office said. California has one of the largest Afghan communities in the nation, and was one of the top cities in the nation to welcome Afghan refugees evacuated to the U.S. following the fall of Afghanistan last year.

“It is essential for immigrant and refugee populations to feel safe and supported in their community,” said Lucero Chavez Basilio, Director of the County Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, Department of Homeless Solutions & Equitable Communities. “We will distribute these cards in the community to help ensure all county residents know their rights and understand they have access to resources that can help protect them and their families, without fear of repercussions or unintended consequences and regardless of immigration status.”

“Reiterating this message is an important step in creating a just, sustainable and resilient future for everyone,” Chavez Basilio continued.

San Diego earlier this year also kicked off a program opening free legal help to immigrants detained in the region. Advocates hope that the $5 million pilot program stands to have its greatest impact at the CoreCivic-operated Otay Mesa Detention Facility, where immigrants have faced prolonged detentions in harmful conditions for as long as a year.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/12/31/2140968/-Multilingual-campaign-reassures-undocumented-immigrants-in-San-Diego-to-not-fear-reporting-crime

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