Barbara Lee’s Comments on Immigration in Oakland

Barbara Lee, the mayor of Oakland, California, expressed pride on Monday during a summer meeting of the Democratic Commission, notably highlighting the city’s defiance of federal immigration laws.

A CNN poll from March indicated that Democratic support had dipped to 29%. With funding challenges becoming apparent in July, the situation felt even more precarious. A Quinnipiac opinion survey further revealed that only 19% of the party’s leadership received approval. Lee concluded the day’s discussions at the DNC event, which had notable undertones, including concerns over rising authoritarianism.

“Oakland is a community that fights for democracy daily, and as your mayor, I’m honored to celebrate my first 100 days in this position,” Lee said. “Now, I think it’s clear we can’t overlook the signs of authoritarianism. I want to extend my gratitude to California Democrats, including [Governor] Gavin Newsom, and to Texas Democrats for their resilience. I’m proud to have my roots in Texas.”

“Together, we’re on the front lines defending democracy,” she continued. “Donald Trump? He’s bringing damage to Oakland and spreading falsehoods about us. But we’re not intimidated. We welcome everyone, especially our immigrant community. Our police do not collaborate with ICE.”

President Trump made several executive orders on January 20, 2025, focused on illegal immigration, designating groups like the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as foreign terrorist organizations. Democrats have staunchly opposed these measures, filing numerous lawsuits to block Trump’s actions.

In Texas, two incidents involving fire at an ICE facility occurred recently. Ten people have been charged with attempted murder following an attack in Alvarado, Texas, linked to ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement.

Resistance to ICE operations also emerged from officials like the Milwaukee judge accused of assisting undocumented immigrants evade apprehension. Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell released the name of an ICE agent involved in local migration enforcement, which stirred controversy.

In New York City, an ICE agent was involved in a confrontation regarding a Democratic mayoral candidate who reportedly obstructed operations in a Manhattan courthouse. Additionally, New Jersey Representative Ramonica McQuiver faced charges for allegedly assaulting an ICE agent during an incident at a Newark facility.

In another related case, a person shot at an ICE agent during an operation at a marijuana farm in California in July, prompting the FBI to offer a $50,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect.