SAJE Creates Mutual Aid Fund to Support Immigrant Members

By Brandon Kim, Communications Intern

July 23

As Angelenos continue to be surveilled and targeted by federal agents, SAJE staff have pivoted to focus on the immediate needs of our members, many of whom are immigrants living in South Central L.A. who are afraid of leaving their homes. However, federal agents aren’t the only aggressors: some SAJE members also are being harassed by their landlords, who have questioned their immigration status or threatened to report them to immigration enforcement. (Disclosing or threatening to disclose immigration status is illegal under the city’s Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance as well as California law.) I spoke with one SAJE member who confronted their landlord for using hateful slurs towards immigrants and making fear-inducing comments about ICE promising to pay “$1,000 per immigrant” reported. They are worried their landlord may call immigration enforcement in an attempt to evict them. Another SAJE member, a street vendor, expressed how being stuck inside has been a traumatic experience. They have been scared to leave the house, concerned that detainment and deportation will disrupt their child’s ability to realize their dream of becoming a doctor. Meanwhile, they are missing work they enjoy and falling behind on bills.

Unfortunately, these stories are all too common right now. In response, SAJE has been partnering with local organizations and donors to create a mutual aid fund to provide assistance to those affected by the raids. Since the end of June, SAJE organizers have been working tirelessly to deliver food and essentials such as milk, bread, and eggs to community members afraid to leave their homes. One partner in these efforts is RootDown LA, an organization dedicated to promoting healthy nutritional habits in South L.A. As Karen Ramirez, program manager and community organizer at SAJE and executive director at RootDown LA, explained, “when the opportunity arose, RootDown LA considered which organizations are rooted in the community and currently facing direct impacts. SAJE immediately came to mind, especially after survey results highlighted a pressing need for grocery deliveries among its members. Connecting SAJE to this resource felt both timely and essential.” Other partner organizations have included the Pilipino Workers Center, a nonprofit organization supporting low-wage, immigrant Pilipinx communities in the US, and community-based organizations T.R.U.S.T. South LA and the South Central Unity Coalition.

It is inspiring to see so many organizations working together to support each other and L.A.’s immigrant communities during this difficult time. SAJE members have said that seeing all the support brings them hope. The street vendor I spoke with told me that it’s not just putting food on the table in a time of need—it’s giving them optimism that things will get better. They ended our interview by saying they are eager to give back to their community when their situation improves, highlighting the commitment to others that so many SAJE members share, and a desire to match kindness in return.

If you’d like to support this initiative, please consider donating to SAJE. We are trying to raise $12,000 to create an ongoing mutual aid fund so that we can respond quickly in moments of crisis. You can donate at https://saje.nationbuilder.com/.