San Jose, California – three days later Donald Trump’As he races to the White House for a second term, some Bay Area communities are preparing for the worst and coming together in a show of solidarity.

“We want the world to know that we are united with immigrant communities. That is why we are here,” said María Leticia Gómez, spokesperson for Santa Clara County.

At the center of Silicon Valley’s political, social and economic power on Friday, a cross-section of the community gathered with signs and stood shoulder to shoulder amid fears of what the incoming president might do.

“Not only are we repeating it, but this is a more intense version of what happened in 2016. Because now we have an administration that knows what it’s doing,” said Sylvia Arenas, the District 1 representative on the County Board of Supervisors. of Santa Clara.

A second incarnation of a Trump White House is set to take office in January. This, after Tuesday’s Election Day victory handed the presidency to the Republican Party.

“Just in the last few days there have been many cases where staff have been given space to be sad and angry and make space for themselves. They have expressed a lot of fear,” said Danna Elneil, managing member of engagement at the Council of Organizations. Silicon Valley Nonprofits. Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Susan Ellenberg added, “Today, many of us feel like our country and even our state is taking a step back.” And Dist. San José City Council. 6’s representative Dev Davis said, “We’re ready to fight again. And this time we know what to expect.”

The expectation of many in the South Bay is that the Trump administration will make good on its threats to deport immigrants who have entered the country illegally.

“I was on the bus to be deported,” said Eladio Cortés Morales of SIREN (Network of Services, Immigrant Rights and Education).

He said he would have been deported, after serving a prison sentence, for being in the country illegally in 2022 if not for local efforts to fight for his rights. Morales said others in the community fear that could be their fate in the near future.

“We all have a unique story. But it is normal that they try to deport you, even if you prove that you have been rehabilitated,” he said.

The dozens of groups, government leaders and law enforcement officials gathered at the county building emphasized to the broader community that Santa Clara County will not cooperate with immigration raids and will remain a sanctuary for all.

“We will not turn over anyone in our custody to ICE. We have not done so and we will not do so in the future,” said county Sheriff Bob Jonsen. County Executive James Williams added: “We will stand united and together we will defend the values ​​that represent Santa Clara County, and we will shine that beacon from here throughout the Bay Area, in California and throughout the United States.” . And Dist. San José City Council. 5, Peter Ortiz, said: “San José will always be a sanctuary city and member of the Rapid Response Network to protect our citizens from the threat of deportation.”

Jesse Gary is a reporter who works in the station’s South Bay office. Follow him on Instagram, @jessegontv and on Facebook, @JesseKTVU