Filipino community of Vallejo, CA promises “a safe haven” for immigrants

VALLEJO, CA — Kababayans are looking to their Fil-Am elected officials, in one of the most Filipino populated cities in the US to protect its immigrant residents.

On Tuesday night, the Vallejo city council unanimously approved a resolution naming Vallejo a safe place for immigrants.

Prior to the council meeting, a rally was held at the steps of City Hall that featured the diversity of Vallejo residents, who stood in solidarity among the various immigrant advocate groups.

“We are here as a diverse community of people coming from different faith backgrounds, and coming from different ethnicities, and we are one knowing for sure that we are a people and there’s no such thing as ‘illegal’ people,” said  Rev. Dr. Felicisimo Cao from United Methodist.

Vallejo’s move comes as the Trump administration’s filed papers earlier this week, asking a judge to reconsider his ruling blocking his executive order to cut funding to so-called sanctuary cities, or cities that do not comply with federal immigration laws.

Kababayans said they were proud of Fil-Am councilmembers Jesus Malgapo, Hermie Sunga, Rozzana Verder-Aliga, and Mayor Bob Sampayan for voting to protect their own community.

Vallejo’s three-page resolution directed the city council to follow a number of guidelines which include:

• Vallejo will not create or maintain a database regarding anyone’s immigration status.
• Calls for immigration and customs enforcement, or ICE agents, to clearly identify themselves through their clothing and statements as immigration officials and not vallejo police.
• Vallejo police does not cooperate with federal immigration authorities, except as required by judicial warrant, or based on the conclusion of the chief of police.

“A safe haven for the immigrant community in Vallejo will mean that they will be heard,” said Angeline Ubaldo. “And we know that they are here, and we are here to protect them.”