At the California EDGE Coalition, we are deeply committed to advocating for an inclusive economy where every Californian has access to opportunity, education, and economic mobility.
Right now, we are witnessing an alarming rise in fear and disruption in Los Angeles and across California due to recent federal enforcement actions. These developments are deeply impacting our immigrant workers, students, families, and entire communities, many of whom are at the heart of our coalition’s mission.
While our focus remains on advancing sound education and workforce policy, we cannot ignore the chilling effect this unrest is having on immigrant families, our partners, our communities, and the broader systems we work to strengthen. When fear drives people away from job training, educational opportunities, or community supports, it undermines the very foundation of an equitable workforce.
These are not just abstract policy concerns, they are lived realities for the Californians EDGE centers in our work. The trauma and instability created by these actions reach into classrooms, job sites, and households, weakening the resilience and cohesion of our state’s workforce.
EDGE remains unwavering in our mission. We will keep moving forward, grounded in our values, and in deep partnership with those on the frontlines of this moment. Our vision for a more just, inclusive, and economically vibrant California demands that we remain steadfast, even when it is difficult.
To our immigrant community, partners, and allies: We see you. We stand with you. And we are committed to doing the work needed to ensure that California remains a place where opportunity is not defined by fear, but by equity, dignity, and the chance to thrive.
Let’s move forward together.
Zima Creason
Executive Director
California EDGE Coalition