DLNews Politics:

A newly formed coalition, We Are California, is mobilizing this weekend across the state, including the Coachella Valley, to prepare for what it views as potential civil rights challenges under a second Trump administration. With hundreds of nonprofits united under its banner, the coalition aims to safeguard inclusion, community solidarity, and democratic norms amid anticipated federal policies targeting vulnerable populations. 

Angelica Salas, Executive Director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, underscored the gravity of the coalition’s mission. “We’re bracing for exactly what Donald Trump has promised—mass deportations, family separations, worksite raids,” Salas said. “These are tactics we’ve seen before, but we anticipate an unprecedented scale of attacks on our communities this time.” 

The coalition’s efforts extend to the Coachella Valley, home to a vibrant and diverse population, including a significant immigrant community. Local nonprofits are joining statewide online and in-person gatherings in major hubs like the Bay Area, Fresno, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego to strategize and unite against policies that could disrupt the Valley’s tightly-knit social and economic fabric. 

“Here in the Coachella Valley, our immigrant workforce is critical to agriculture, hospitality, and service industries,” said a regional coalition organizer. “Federal policies targeting these workers ripple through the entire community, threatening livelihoods and local economies.” 

California has taken legislative steps to shield its residents from federal immigration overreach. The California Values Act restricts state and local resources from aiding federal immigration enforcement and designates schools, hospitals, and courthouses as safe spaces. The California Trust Act ensures local jails cannot hold individuals with low-level, nonviolent offenses solely for federal deportation proceedings. These protections are especially relevant in the Coachella Valley, where access to education, healthcare, and community services remains vital for many residents. 

“This coalition represents more than just resistance,” Salas emphasized. “California—and communities like the Coachella Valley—can model what it means to resist and defy unjust policies. In the past, we resisted. This time, we’re building systems that actively interrupt harmful agendas.” 

Through its collaborative efforts, We Are California seeks to reaffirm the state’s leadership in protecting civil rights and fostering community cohesion. The Coachella Valley stands as a powerful example of the stakes and strength of California’s diverse communities.