As the daughter of Zimbabwean immigrants, I feel a deep empathy for those who are being impacted by the recent ICE operations. The anxiety stirred by these raids and harsh immigration policies resonates with me because I understand what it means to build a life in a new country, to navigate unfamiliar systems, and to worry about your place in it.
In the Tri-City area of Fremont, Newark and Union City, immigrants are not outsiders. They are the heartbeat of the community. From the Afghan bakeries in Centerville to the Filipino churches in Union City and the thriving Latino neighborhoods in south Fremont, this region is a vibrant patchwork of cultures, languages and traditions. Nearly half of Fremont’s population is foreign-born. This isn’t just a statistic. It’s a strength.
Yet, despite the richness of our diversity, many still face barriers to belonging. Immigrants worry about accessing healthcare, navigating the school system, or even reporting crimes to the police. The national rhetoric may shift with each election cycle, but the daily lives of immigrants remain marked by resilience and quiet courage.
We need to do more than just tolerate diversity—we need to protect it. That means demanding compassionate immigration policies, expanding local protections and telling the stories that humanize our neighbors. In the Tri-Cities, diversity isn’t a challenge to overcome. It’s the reason we thrive.
