The only team speaking out against Trump's immigration raids

BarcelonaAmerican immigrants have begun to live in fear. The raids organized by Donald Trump, who promised to deport the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country, have accentuated a climate of uncertainty that has resulted in various demonstrations and confrontations. Los Angeles is one of the epicenters of this social earthquake. One of its professional teams, Angel City FC, has raised its voice in support of California's immigrant communities. Its players have given visibility to Inmigrant City Football Club, a provocative initiative that seeks to stir consciences.

"Los Angeles is and always will be a city of immigrants. Inmigrant City FC emphasizes not only the makeup of the city itself and how we represent it, but also the values of our team. Our team is made up of immigrants. Our staff is made up of immigrants. It very clearly reflects what and who we are on the franchise's social media.

"It's a very difficult time. The uncertainty is great, but looking around the stadium and seeing these jerseys everywhere, it's like saying, 'This is our home, we know who we are, and we know what we believe in,'" says Ali Riley. "It's very emotional. We wanted to represent Los Angeles. We wanted to support our community," adds Sarah Gorden.

In addition to the Immigrant City FC jerseys that brought both the team and many fans into the stands, Becky G, Angel City FC's founding investor and a Los Angeles native, read a statement from the club. "The fabric of this city is made of immigrants. Soccer would not exist without immigrants.

This sentiment has been part of Angel City FC and its fan culture since the beginning. It's made of different people," Badio explained.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than a third of Los Angeles County (more than three million people) are foreign-born. Additionally, many more Angelenos are the children or grandchildren of immigrants.

"My mom's parents came here from China, and it wasn't easy for them. They had to find a way to make a living here. My dad is a first-generation American. Being from Los Angeles, everything we do, everything we play, everything we eat, is~~" Fleeing the Civil War

Badio's parents immigrated from El Salvador. "My mother fled the civil war, and luckily we grew up here and have citizenship," she said. "She had to work three jobs as a single mother to make it possible... and I know it's not just the Latinx community that's going through this. It's people from all over the world," she added.

As Yaoziuatl Martínez says, showing up for the community has always been a core value for Angel City FC. "Our mission is to make sports and soccer accessible to everyone, regardless of identity and immigration status. Sports is a place where everyone has opportunities and everyone belongs, and we should support that," she opines.

The franchise donated all of the proceeds from the Inmigrante City Football Club jersey to Camino Immigration Services, an organization that supports the immigrant community in Los Angeles.