COALITION FOR HUMANE IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

PRESS STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   July 23 2021
CHIRLA CELEBRATES REUNITING OF MORE THAN 1,500 CHILDREN WITH FAMILIES, CLOSING OF INTAKE CENTER
Temporary intake center in Long Beach safely reunited 1,538 children with
family members or sponsors, who were often extended family
LOS ANGELES -- The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), the largest immigrant rights organization in California, celebrates the reuniting of 1,538 children with their families at the Emergency Intake Center at the Long Beach Convention Center, as the center ceases operations.
We thank Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, as well as all the community organizations, city departments and philanthropy that came together to find a humane, safe solution for reuniting the families whose children were picked up at border. This was a locally centered answer that did not include holding the children in ICE-managed facilities not fit for anyone, let alone children. At the Long Beach intake center, the children had access to top-notch health care and educational programs provided by local organizations. Most importantly, the children were in a safe, consistent, welcoming environment, and that made the difference for these families.
We keep looking forward to the day that all government and private centers that detain immigrants close for good. Immigration is a civil issue, and we deplore its continual criminalization by conservative forces. We work for the reunification of all families separated by this criminalization.
Please attribute the following statements to Angelica Salas, CHIRLA executive director:
"This was an instance when cooperation between local government and social justice organizations was not only possible, but the chosen alternative to more ICE detention and mistreatment of children who had traveled to the border to reunite with their families.

"We believe in strong relationships with our local elected leaders, because they have power to move solutions and they know us as their constituents. We thank Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia for his openness and his quick action as the children's crisis became urgent, and we thank Southern California residents who provided toys so the children could be children again after their arduous journeys. Those toys were then shared with other intake sites.

"This solution was inclusive, proactive and forward-thinking. This is the way we want to see all new arrivals treated--as part of our communities."