Statement from Vanessa Aramayo, President & CEO, Alliance for a Better Community
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo spent 35 years in this country. He built a business framing houses and building homes for others before building a home of his own where he raised three children. Joan Sebastian Guerrero had lived in the US for three years, working two jobs while seeking asylum. He adored his three-year-old daughter.
They were fathers. They had dreams, families, and loved ones waiting for them to come home. Instead, both lost their lives following encounters with federal immigration agents.
Their deaths are a tragedy and an outrage. Their families are carrying a pain no family should ever have to endure. We honor Lorenzo and Joan, and we stand with their loved ones today and always.
They are not the first. And without action, they will not be the last.
As a parent, I cannot fathom the thought of my children not having me come home today—or ever. As a Christian, I cannot reconcile the lack of humanity in these killings. As an American, I refuse to accept that this is who we are or who we are meant to be.
My faith teaches me that love is measured not only by what we believe, but by how we treat one another. Scripture calls us to welcome the stranger, protect the vulnerable, and uphold the dignity of every human being. We cannot claim those values while allowing families to live in fear and mourning.
Our communities are living in fear and danger. Congress has failed to act on legislation that would bring meaningful oversight and accountability to ICE. Instead, it has approved tens of billions of additional dollars for ICE with virtually no accountability. That has to change.
Today, I joined our partners across Los Angeles—including NALEO, CHIRLA, CARECEN, COFEM, the Filipino Workers Center, labor leaders, clergy, and many others—to demand accountability, justice, and an end to the terror being inflicted on our communities.
Accountability does not end here. This November, we have the opportunity to elect leaders who will protect our families, defend our communities, and ensure our institutions answer to the people they serve. We have the power to change the direction of our country.
We have power. We have each other. And we will not stop until there is justice.
Aquí estamos, y no nos vamos.