Foothills Sentry Page 4 AUGUST 2025 JOHNSON MOTORCARS 34 Years of Specializing in the Service and Repair of Mercedes-Benz Gary Johnson 714-997-2567 982 N. Batavia # B13, Orange, CA 92867 gary@johnsonmotorcars.com @ramblingroseoc Circulation … 39,000 Published on the last Tuesday of each month and distributed to residences, businesses, libraries and civic centers. Printing by Advantage, Inc. 714-532-4406 foothillssentry.com 1107 E. Chapman Ave., #207 Orange, CA 92866 ©Foothills Sentry 2025 Publisher/Editor Anita Bennyhoff 1969-2013 Editor Tina Richards editor@foothillssentry.com Sports Editor Cliff Robbins sportseditor@att.net Graphic Designer Jef Maddock graphics@foothillssentry.com Advertising Sales Andie Mills advertising@foothillssentry.com 714-926-9299 Office Manager officemanager@foothillssentry.com ICE is snatching people off the streets of our city By Ana Gutierrez To quote Albert Einstein: “If I were to remain silent, I’d be guilty of complicity.” Therefore, I must speak out against the injustice my Latino brothers and sisters are currently enduring. We are being randomly profiled because of the color of our skin. We have been witnessing, over the past two weeks, the various ICE/ HSI sweeps in our neighboring county, cities and within our own city boundaries. The most recent and inhumane recently occurred to Narcisco Barranco, father of three U.S. Marines, all OUSD graduates. He was brutally beaten and taken away to a detention center as he was working as a landscaper at an IHOP in Tustin. Two weeks ago, in my neighborhood in El Modena, ICE apprehended a Latino man in the parking lot of the old Ace Hardware store. Word got out quickly, rumors were flying, and fear was struck into the neighborhood. No one felt safe to go outside, regardless of status. Two days after that, in front of my home, I, along with my daughter and neighbors, witnessed immigration randomly pick up another Latino man who was walking on the sidewalk, place him in a van and swiftly drive away with him -- in less than 30 seconds. All that we have been witnessing has created fear, anger and distrust among the Latino community, whether they have legal or non-legal status. It’s not only undocumented day laborers that go to Home Depot, 7-11s or car washes. We all do, and it appears that even if you state you are a legal resident, a naturalized citizen, an American citizen, or show your real ID, you are not believed and taken away. No one feels safe. This despicable inhumane manner of enforcing immigration laws is attempting to break us, incite fear, terrorize us, round up whomever, with or without cause, legal or not legal, and push for self-deportation. This is Operation Wetback from 1954 all over again. I am a proud American. I love my county. America is my only home, the country I pledge allegiance to, the country that has afforded me my education and opportunities. But I am also proud of my cultural heritage, my Mexican heritage, my family roots. These two elements have shaped who I am today. I have always been proud to be bilingual and bicultural. But right now, I do not recognize my America. I have never experienced nor witnessed such blatant racial profiling; I have never felt fear for being Latina and brown-skinned. I am saddened that we are having to bear witness to these types of events. My family immigrated to the U.S. through the Bracero Program in the early 1960s, and although my family’s pathway was differGuest Commentary ent than those who are currently here illegally, what unites us is the hope of the American dream. Yet there hasn’t been a pathway afforded to them in 39 years. It is time that our congressional leaders begin to work on this much needed immigration reform. I want my community to know that I stand with them, as do other elected leaders who are fulfilling their oversight duties by visiting ICE detention centers (despite the roadblocks), offering resources in knowing your rights and services for those experiencing difficulties, and speaking up for their communities. Thank you, Congressman Lou Correa, Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento and Assemblyman Avaleno Valencia. It is unfortunate that our Congresswoman Young Kim who represents Orange, has yet to speak out against the inhumane way in which her Latino constituents are being treated. I encourage her to join Congressman Correa in visiting the ICE detention center to check on her constituents. Lastly, I want to encourage all of those who are standing for those who cannot stand and fighting for those without your privilege, to continue to do so in a peaceful and safe manner. It is your constitutional right. I want to thank the Orange Police Department for putting out a statement that they have worked tirelessly to keep Orange safe and build community among the residents. Let’s hope both the OPD and residents are mindful of that and nurture that relationship. Orange PD is there to enforce infractions or any criminal activity, not immigration laws. Stay safe, be peaceful, know your rights and God bless. Ana Gutierrez represents District 5 on the Orange City Council. She made these remarks at the June 24 meeting. Orange Unified vows to protect student rights By Kris Erickson I want to take a moment to address an issue that is weighing heavily on the hearts and minds of many in our community. That is the current surge in Immigration Enforcement activity, and the manner in which that enforcement is happening. We have, for the past month, witnessed something most of us have not seen in our lifetimes. In addition to serving on this OUSD board, I am an attorney and I sit on the board of a local family resource center. In all contexts, we have seen firsthand how these policies are playing out on our streets, right here on Chapman Avenue, and we see a real fear that is disrupting and tearing apart the lives of our OUSD families. To be clear, the fear is not just felt by undocumented persons. The fear is felt throughout many immigrant communities and in this area, by Latino citizens, green card holders, those with pending cases in immigration court and the undocumented. American children are living in fear their parents will not come home. Some of the families we serve are so scared they are skipping food distributions and essential services—choosing hunger over being seen. I have had the honor of attending an immigration hearing for one of our local El Modena families, and I cannot tell you how heartbreaking it is to see a grown man - a proud hardworking man - brought to tears and enduring conditions no American should stand for. That’s not the kind of community we should aspire to be. It’s not sustainable for a society that relies on the strength of every one of its members. We know our immigrant families are essential to our economy and culture. Their presence enriches our neighborhoods, classrooms, churches and community spaces. They work with us; they own businesses; their children attend school with ours; we sit on sports fields together. What is hopeful and inspiring is the range of people coming together on this issue. People of faith, humanists, civil libertarians, those of differing political persuasions are coming together. I am grateful for the many community nonprofits that are stepping up. I am grateful to those who are rising up to support and speak out. And I am grateful to the many people donating food and offering to bring food to people who need it. As your public school district, we want to reassure our community that we are committed to protecting our students' rights. We do not collect data or distribute data regarding immigration status. That is not our business. Our business is providing education, safety, and well-being to all of our students to ensure they are able to learn and thrive. All students enrolled in summer school are provided meals, and all children under 18 can receive free meals Monday through Friday. Additionally, our Student and Community Services Office (714-628-5424) is open and can personally tailor services to meet the needs of students, including counseling, academic support and others. We have a lot of students attending summer schools, and it is heartening to see the joy shining in them. We’re seeing children thrive in environments that are safe, fun and nurturing. Kids are allowed to be kids. The images of joy, curiosity and friendship remind us of what’s possible when we create spaces that uplift and protect. We are working hard to keep that trust in our district. Not only are we doing all we can to maintain safe, welcoming environments for every child right now—we're already planning for the fall to give families the very best options. Our commitment is clear: to ensure every student is placed in an environment where they are safe, can learn, grow and be served in the most meaningful way possible. Kris Erickson is president of the Orange Unified School Board of Trustees. She delivered these remarks at the July 14 meeting. From left, Pat Robles-Friedman, president P.E.O. - IE Chapter, Sheryl Franke, projects committee member, Aaliyah Fortes - STAR winner, Marcia Reynolds, projects committee chair. FHS grad receives P.E.O. STAR Scholarship Aaliyah Fortes, a senior at Foothill High School, was selected to receive a $2,500 STAR Scholarship from the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She was recommended by P.E.O. Chapter IE of Orange. The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship was established in 2009 to provide funding for exceptional women in their final year of high school who plan to attend an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the U.S. or Canada in the next academic year. The competitive STAR Scholarship is for women who exhibit excellence in leadership, academics, extracurricular activities, community service and potential for future success. At Foothill High School, Fortes was on the varsity golf and flag football teams. She was the founder and president of the Miracles for Kids Club, president of her National Charity League Chapter, MVP and lead attorney of the Foothill Mock Trial Team, and a Baccalaureate candidate. She will attend Notre Dame in the fall to pursue a degree in global affairs and political science. She plans to travel abroad in connection with her studies. P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) has been celebrating women helping women for more than 155 years, providing more than $432 million in grants, scholarships, awards and loans. Chapter IE has been a part of the Orange, Tustin and Santa Ana communities since 1935.
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