Foundations Urge Declaration of Public Health Emergency Over Violent Immigration Enforcement

Written By KACF SF

We condemn the violent and unnecessary immigration enforcement escalating in Minnesota, California, and communities across the nation. These actions are not only an assault on basic freedoms — they are creating a public health crisis.

When fear keeps people from leaving their homes, going to work, seeking medical care, or sending their children to school, both freedom and health are under attack. Entire communities are being traumatized. That is why we call governors, public health officials and county supervisors to declare public health emergencies where these conditions exist, based on well-established public health criteria:

  • Widespread physical and mental health harm, including exposure to violence, lasting trauma and chronic stress, with residents delaying or avoiding health care out of fear.

  • Deepening racial and health inequities, as ICE and Border Patrol agents systematically target immigrants and people of color.

  • Breakdown of family stability, community safety, and trust, when federal enforcement creates fear and chaos, making it harder to deliver essential health and public services.

Elevating these circumstances as a public health emergency allows officials to redirect resources and coordinate responses that match the scale of harm communities are facing — including access to additional funding, expanded mental health and trauma services, and measures to protect schools, community clinics and hospitals as places of care.

As charitable foundations committed to health and justice, we believe governors, county officials and public health leaders have both the authority and the responsibility to act to protect the health and wellbeing of all community members. We urge them to declare public health emergencies where these conditions exist and to mobilize the coordinated response communities need to be healthy and safe.

  • Akonadi Foundation

  • Bay Area Asset Funders Network

  • Blue Shield of California Foundation (BSCF)

  • California Community Foundation

  • Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties

  • Dr. Bronner's Family Foundation

  • East Bay Community Foundation

  • Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund

  • Firedoll Foundation

  • James B. McClatchy Foundation

  • Korean American Community Foundation of San Francisco

  • Latino Community Foundation

  • Metta Fund

  • New Breath Foundation

  • Northern California Grantmakers

  • Prebys Foundation

  • Rosenberg Foundation

  • Secure Families Collaborative

  • Sierra Health Foundation

  • Southern California Grantmakers

  • The California Endowment

  • The California Wellness Foundation

  • The SCAN Foundation

KACF SF https://www.kacfsf.org
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