Executive Director Dr. Ruth Fernández testifies in Sacramento as bill advances in the Senate to help ensure child care environments remain safe, trusted, and free from immigration enforcement-related fear.
On Monday, June 29, First 5 Contra Costa Executive Director Dr. Ruth Fernández joined Assemblymember Anamarie Ávila Farías (District 15) during the Senate Human Services Committee hearing to testify in support of AB 2230, an important bill that strengthens protections for immigrant families and child care providers in licensed family child care homes and child care centers, authored by Assemblymember Ávila Farías.
“AB2230 protects childcare facilities from strengthening the existing law,” stated Assemblymember Ávila Farías in front of the Committee. “No parent should fear losing their child to enforcement actions. AB2230 ensures that childcare facilities remain safe and free from fear and intimidation.”
Dr. Fernández then shared stories from our county’s dedicated child care community about the trauma inflicted on babies, toddlers, and preschoolers in our immigrant community as a result of increased enforcement tactics. “Our position is rooted in a core principle: Early childhood settings must be safe, trusted, and free from fear,” explained Dr. Fernández. “Children cannot thrive and parents cannot work when families fear that a routine day might be disrupted by immigration enforcement in places meant to be safe for children.”
Contra Costa is home to over a million residents, one in four of whom are immigrants, and 72,000+ of whom are children aged 0-5. Immigrant and newcomer families already face unique struggles with access to high quality child care, and additional barriers caused by fear of immigration enforcement only exacerbate these challenges.
We’re pleased to share that AB 2230 passed out of the CA State Assembly and is currently being considered by the CA State Senate. First 5 Contra Costa was proud to stand in support of this bill and in support of our immigrant neighbors and community members in Contra Costa County.
Click here to view our cataloged set of immigration resources for community partners and organizations, as well as page dedicated to immigration resources for families.