UPDATE: This Saturday, experts will dive deep into the history of deportation in America during a crucial discussion in San Diego, as immigration enforcement intensifies nationwide. Authorities report that recent ICE raids have escalated, targeting communities and raising urgent questions about the implications for modern immigration policy.
Historian and UCLA professor Kelly Lytle Hernandez and filmmaker Alex Rivera are set to illuminate how past events shape the current immigration landscape. Their insights come at a time when the narrative around deportation is increasingly fraught with racial undertones and political strife.
In a recent episode of KPBS Midday Edition, Hernandez emphasized, “We are in a crisis moment. Many community members are being targeted for detention and removal.” She pointed to the historical context of deportation, tracing it back to the post-Civil War era when laws like the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act first established racial criteria for deportation.
Rivera echoed her sentiments, stating, “This is a dangerous moment where even those opposed to aggressive tactics are calling for closed borders.” He highlighted a troubling shift in the political discourse, noting that even members of the Democratic Party are questioning their prior stances on immigration.
The discussion will touch upon significant historical cases, including that of Fong Yung Ting, the first person deported under U.S. law. His story, alongside others, reveals how early deportation laws were designed to exclude non-white immigrants, laying the groundwork for today’s immigration system.
As the event approaches on August 19, 2025, at Bread and Salt, Hernandez and Rivera aim to explore the implications of these historical legal frameworks. “What we see today is not new; it is an echo of the past,” said Hernandez. Rivera emphasized the need to challenge the normalization of deportation, stating, “We have to think against borders and consider how we would want to be treated.”
The urgency of this conversation resonates deeply as recent events highlight the human impact of deportation. In Montebello, California, on August 15, 2025, immigration agents violently detained individuals, stirring public outrage and fear within immigrant communities.
With the political landscape shifting rapidly, many are left wondering how to respond effectively. The upcoming event aims to provide a platform for discussion, resistance, and exploration of alternatives to the current immigration system.
As the debate intensifies, the historical context of deportation becomes vital for understanding how society can move forward. Attendees will engage in a conversation that not only recounts the past but also seeks to inspire action for a more equitable future.
This Saturday’s event is a crucial opportunity for community members to reflect on the lessons of history and advocate for a just immigration policy that respects human rights and dignity.
