EBSC IN THE NEWS
Asylum-Seekers’ Stories Come to The Freight in Berkeley
(December 30, 2025)
‘No Separate Survival’ screens at The Freight (2020 Addison St., Berkeley) on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, with a performance by Larry & Joe. A pre-screening reception begins at 4:30 p.m. Director Shabnam Piryaei and the narrators will be present for a short Q&A on the making of the film.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, Maya Immigrants Get Help Preserving Their Culture
(December 19, 2025)
Indigenous Maya people who have migrated to the San Francisco Bay Area face a double challenge: knowing their rights in the face of immigration raids and maintaining their cultural traditions. To support them, local and community activists are providing guidance in their language and using technology to help them continue to cultivate a love for their roots.
Invisible in the data: A Maya family struggles to rebuild in Guatemala after being deported
(December 18, 2025)
A Maya Mam family’s deportation reveals the erasure Indigenous immigrants face in the U.S. and back home.
How Berkeley started the modern sanctuary movement
(November 5, 2025)
Berkeley first made history as a sanctuary city during the Vietnam War. Later, five Berkeley churches harboring Salvadoran refugees set off a national movement. Today, advocates and organizations are still building on this legacy to lead the way in protecting asylum seekers from around the world.
East Bay advocates reflect on immigration enforcement surge that wasn’t
(November 4, 2025)
Leaders of groups like East Bay Sanctuary Covenant and Oasis Legal Services told us how their networks sprang into action — and what they learned from an “unfortunate test.”
Oakland Latino Merchants Learn Rights as ICE Targets Worksites
(September 10, 2025)
As immigration authorities increasingly target worksites for arrests, hundreds of managers and business owners like Ordoñez have flocked to “Know Your Rights” training events in the Bay Area specifically tailored to the workplace, according to legal aid groups and worker advocates.
Immigrant youth in the crosshairs of the Trump administration’s crackdown
(February 28, 2025)
Unaccompanied youth already face immense challenges. Many have endured dangerous and traumatic journeys to reach the U.S. Once here, they must navigate a new country, culture, and language—often without their parents or familiar support systems.
Soaring housing costs make life even more challenging for Oakland’s unaccompanied minors
(February 26, 2025)
Amid staggering cost of living and debt, young migrants’ mental health needs take a back seat.
Bay Area Sanctuary Cities Under Trump’s Second Term
(February 25, 2025)
With the new administration, we must reaffirm to our community that we are still a sanctuary city. The city of Berkeley is committed to the safety of all of our residents. Berkeley has a long tradition of supporting its immigrants and undocumented communities.
Berkeley started the modern sanctuary movement. It’s still leading the way
(February 23, 2025)
Berkeley first made history as a sanctuary city during the Vietnam War. Later, five Berkeley churches harboring Salvadoran refugees set off a national movement. Today, advocates and organizations are still building on this legacy to lead the way in protecting asylum seekers from around the world.
For Berkeley day laborers with bills and fears, staying home is not an option
(February 19, 2025)
The largely immigrant workforce of jornaleros is both highly visible and vulnerable. But one local nonprofit is providing protection and support.
‘You never know’: Under Trump, Berkeley immigrants are more fearful and cautious in their daily lives
(February 11, 2025)
Rumors and threats of mass deportations have caused some Berkeley immigrants to reconsider going to school, attending church and receiving community services.
What immigrants in Berkeley should know about their rights
(January 20, 2025)
As Trump is inaugurated, here are some resources for immigrants in Berkeley and Alameda County.
BUSD pushes back on Trump, strengthens policy to protect immigrant families
(February 6, 2025)
The Berkeley school district is doubling down on “safe zone” practices to foster inclusive environments on campuses.
Are you an immigrant or ally looking to prepare for Trump 2.0? This Berkeley program aims to help
(January 7, 2025)
La Peña Cultural Center and East Bay Sanctuary Covenant will hold workshops, a social hour and a community discussion, with the goal of teaching people to protect themselves and their neighbors.
East Bay Sanctuary Covenant v. Trump
(May 10, 2023)
The Biden administration issued a final rule that will bar asylum for the vast majority of people seeking safety at the southwest border. The rule, dubbed an “asylum ban,” combines and repackages two Trump-era policies – known as the “entry” and “transit” bans – which were struck down by the courts as unlawful.