Joint statement from AFSCME District Council 36 and AFSCME Local 4501 about recent raids by ICE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 9, 2025
Contact: Daisha Benjamin [email protected]
Joint statement from AFSCME District Council 36 and AFSCME Local 4501 about recent raids by ICE
The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) District Council 36 and AFSCME Local 4501 are outraged by the ICE raids happening across southern California and across the Country.
“The violence I witnessed in the city of Paramount far exceeds anything I’ve seen in my 10 years serving my community,” said Janeth Bucio, President of AFSCME Local 4501. “As an organizer for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, I witnessed how a group of rogue federal agencies brought violence into a peaceful, working-class neighborhood. They turned a powerful moment of unity between families and community members into chaos.”
“The excessive and unnecessary use of force speaks to their disregard for people’s safety and basic human rights. How can a country turn their weapons on unarmed civilians demanding justice and respect for due process? Tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber bullets do not belong in our communities,” Bucio continued. "Immigrants have given a lot to our communities and as such we need to show our support, we need to let them know we are willing to defend their human rights.”
“These raids are cruel and inhumane. Immigrants are being abducted and assaulted by militarized federal agents and we will not stand idly by while our friends, family members, and neighbors live in fear of being torn away from their community and loved ones,” said Matthew Maldonado, Executive Director of AFSCME District Council 36. “Immigrants deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and we will not be quiet about the brutality they face.”
We are excited that brother David Huerta was released from custody today. However, this fight is far from over and until ICE leaves, we will continue to be loud about the injustices our immigrant community faces, and we call on lawmakers and community leaders to do the same.
About AFSCME District Council 36
Los Angeles-based AFSCME District Council 36 serves more than 70 autonomous Local Unions with five regional offices across southern California. Our nearly 30,000 members perform a diverse array of roles in local government, legal aid and nonprofit social service organizations, yet all share a common pride and dedication to public service. An affiliate of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) International Union in Washington D.C., “Council 36” was chartered in 1969.
About CHIRLA Workers Union, AFSCME Local 4501
CHIRLA Workers Union, AFSCME Local 4501 represents employees who work in legal services, community education & outreach, organizing, and much more at The Coalition of Humane Immigrant Rights based in Los Angeles, Calif. An affiliate of AFSCME District Council 36 and AFSCME International, Local 4501 was chartered in 2021.
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