At Homeboy Industries, a nonprofit that runs gang rehabilitation and reentry programs, Wendy Carrillo stood out in a crowd of tattooed ex-gang members in a bright red blazer. But when Carrillo, a state legislator from East Los Angeles, took the mic, she hit her stride. “I am very proud to represent you,” she said.
Carrillo attended the Homeboys’ morning assembly earlier this month and spoke about: her bill, of home law, aims to abolish post-jail punishments for immigrants. “We guarantee that there is only one justice system in California that treats all of us the same, regardless of where we were born,” she promised.
“That’s right!” cried some men. Others nodded and applauded.
Jean Guerrero
opinion columnist
los angeles times
Carrillo is running for Los Angeles City Council to replace Kevin de Leon.her bill will close the loophole 2017 california values law, State sanctuary laws, drafted by de Leon, almost always prevent state and local law enforcement agencies from assisting federal immigration officials.
She is a natural replacement for Mr. de Leon. De Leon was widely respected as one of Trump’s supporters before he was turned into a pariah after a racist and inflammatory audio recording was discovered. greatest nemesis About immigration examination.
Carrillo’s record on immigrant rights, which is also de Leon’s defining issue, may soon overturn his record.her home law passed it Congress at the end of May. It is now in the Senate. If the bill passes, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation would largely cease operations. carved Repeals de Leon’s sanctuary law and helps Immigration and Customs Enforcement deport immigrants Earned release Under new state criminal justice reform.
Another Carrillo bill, vision lawwhich Failed by 3 votes Passing it in the state Senate last year would have closed more loopholes in De Leon’s law.
Over chilaquiles at Homegirl Cafe, Carrillo expressed mixed feelings about De Leon’s sanctuary law, which doesn’t cover all Californians at risk of deportation. His concessions to law enforcement enabled the bill to pass, but the compromises left many people unprotected from ICE’s brutal enforcement efforts. “A dual justice system was created statewide,” she says. “Those paroled by the parole board are still being picked up by ICE in private vans.”
Carrillo, a former illegal immigrant himself, wants to make California a true protected state. It remains to be seen if she has the bargaining skills to do so. It’s hard to find a realistic line on the culture war issue. But some immigrant rights advocates think Mr. De Leon gave way too quickly to criminal lobbying. Carrillo believes she can persuade her moderate colleagues to get back on their feet.
She didn’t smear De Leon in our conversation, but she did call him Other city council members are also set to resign in October after a racist audio scandal came to light. She believes she can do better than him. She covers not only the state’s conservation policies, but also many local issues in District 14, from basic road repairs to homelessness issues. Carrillo said she decided to run for city council when the controversy over De Leon’s refusal to resign complicated voters’ access to the service. He also heard that residents were outraged by his mayoral run last year. Residents assumed he was seeking higher status at his own expense.
Carrillo’s family remembers moving to Los Angeles from El Salvador when she was 5 and attending Mass at the Dolores Mission, where Father Gregory Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, was serving. there is Her second chance and his belief in the worth of all human beings, regardless of their shortcomings, resonated with her.During her college days, she short film About Homeboy Industries. Then she started her Power 106 her radio show.knowledge is powerregularly featured Father Boyle.
During her more than five years of service in Congress, she has ensured that: millions of dollars State Partnership Support for Homeboy Industries and Other Programs Youth employment and workforce training, affordable housing and Community clinic. She drafted a bill to create a reparation fund for mostly black and Latinx women who were forced to be sterilized in California, and has since secured more funding. please help me find Many victims who did not apply.
Although many of her fights take place in Sacramento, she’s also well known on the streets of Los Angeles. I asked Carrillo to meet me at Homeboy Industries. Homeboy Industries has long helped East Side men get back on track after making mistakes.Given her belief in second chances, did she agree with city leaders? rejection What about De Leon’s apology? Did they miss an opportunity to show empathy in action?
“Wouldn’t it have been a different reaction? Right,” she said. But she also understands the pain that makes it difficult for her to forgive. “I admire the strength and resilience of the black community. No. There is unity in goals, there is unity in seeking representation.”
Latino leaders often lack that cohesion. Few publicly defended Mr. de Leon’s decision to remain on the council. However, his leadership style of secretly promoting Latino tribalism struck many allies as objectionable.
Carrillo has no interest in pitting Latinos against other groups. “I think it’s important that we are grounded in our history and have a solid understanding of who we are and where we come from. But… we have to be the leaders,” she said. Told.
She rejects the tribalism of the social media age with its hierarchical and divisive view of people, along with the belief that no one is disposable or helpless. Her consistency in her equality allowed her to win over De Leon.
