Protecting Families: Know Your Rights & Access to Food Assistance

Hi Neighbor, 

Recent reports of immigration enforcement actions have left many in our community anxious and uncertain.  I want to be absolutely clear: every family deserves access to food, safety, and dignity-without fear.

If you or someone you know receives CalFresh (food assistance) or other public benefits, know that these programs exist to help you and your family stay healthy and strong. Applying for or receiving CalFresh does not make you a target for immigration enforcement.

We stand with families across our community. No one should face hunger or fear when reaching out for help.

Senator Wahab supporting Tri-City Volunteers.

✅ Know Your Rights

• You do not have to let officials in your home unless they present a warrant signed by a judge. An arrest warrant must name a person in your residence. A search warrant must include an address and areas to be searched within the residence. If they don’t produce a warrant, keep the door closed and state “I do not consent to your entry.”

• Do not sign any documents. 

• You have the right to remain silent; if you do not have immigration documentation, ask to speak to an attorney. 

• You do not have to answer questions about your birthplace. 

• Do not falsify documents or lie about your citizenship status. 

For more Know Your Rights resources: 

https://immigrantjustice.org/for-immigrants/know-your-rights/

Bay Area Rapid Response Networks

• Alameda County – ACILEP: (510) 241-4011 | Hours Mon–Fri 6 AM–6 PM | https://www.acilep.org
• Santa Clara County Rapid Response Network: (408) 290-1144 | https://www.amigoscenter.com/rapid-respon
• North Bay Rapid Response Network (Sonoma, Napa & Solano): (707) 800-4544 | https://www.northbayop.org/nbrrn
• Stand Together Contra Costa: (925) 900-5151 | https://standtogethercontracosta.org
• San Francisco Rapid Response Network: (415) 200-1548 | https://www.sfrrn.org/
• San Mateo County Rapid Response Network: (203) 666-4472 | https://www.smcgov.org/ceo/rapid-response-hotline

How to Locate a Detained Loved One

To find and locate loved ones detained by immigration authorities: 

• locator.ice.gov
• ice.gov/detention-facilities

✅ CalFresh Resources

• Find out if you qualify: GetCalFresh.org

• Need help applying? Call 2-1-1 for local support in your language.

Food Security & Daily Needs Resources 

Alameda County Food Support

• Alameda County Community Food Bank — (510) 635-3663 | https://www.accfb.org/ —same-day grocery pickup and pantry referrals.
• Meals on Wheels Alameda County — (510) 777-9560 | https://www.feedingseniors.org/ — home-delivered meals to seniors.
• City Serve of the Tri-Valley — (925) 222- 2273 | https://cityservecares.org/ — food-pantry coordination in Pleasanton, Livermore, and Dublin.
• Davis Street Community Center — (510) 347-4620 | https://davisstreet.org/ — weekly groceries and basic-needs support in San Leandro.
• Tri-City Volunteers (Fremont) — (510) 793-4583 | https://tcvfoodbank.org/ — pantry and diaper-distribution programs.
• Viola Blythe Community Service Center (Newark) — (510) 794-3437 | https://www.violablythe.org/ — emergency food and clothing.

Santa Clara County Food Support

• Second Harvest of Silicon Valley — 1-(800)-984-3663 | https://www.shfb.org/ — pantry and grocery-delivery options.
• Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County — (408) 468-0100 | https://www.ccscc.org/?locale=en — weekly grocery distributions.
• Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen — (408) 922-9085 | https://www.loavesfishes.org/ — free hot meals and groceries.
• Sacred Heart Community Service — (408) 278-2160 | https://www.sacredheartcs.org/ — food boxes, clothing, and rental assistance.
• West Valley Community Services — (408) 255-8033| https://www.wvcommunityservices.org/ — Cupertino and West San Jose families.
• Sunnyvale Community Services — (408) 738-4321 | https://svcommunityservices.org/ — groceries and emergency aid.
• Milpitas Food Pantry — (408) 946-5564 | https://www.milpitasfoodpantry.org/ — grocery and pantry access.

Additional Daily-Needs Support

• Ecumenical Hunger Program — (650) 323-7781 | https://www.ehpcares.org/ — groceries, clothing, and household essentials.
• Peninsula Food Runners — (415)-826-6903| https://peninsulafoodrunners.org/ — volunteer/delivery options.
• Abode Services — (510) 657-7409 | https://abode.org/services — housing, meals, and wraparound assistance.
• Solid Rock Community Services (Newark) — (510) 794-3897 | https://solidrockcommunityservices.org/ — Wednesday food pantry.
• Salvation Army Tri-Cities Corps — (510) 793-6319 | https://tri-cities.salvationarmy.org/ — food distribution and basic aid.
• Meals of Love (Hayward) — (510) 582-1263 | https://www.sosmow.org/ — Weekly prepared-meal pickups for seniors and families in need.

Libraries & City-Specific Programs

• Lunch at the Library — https://www.library.ca.gov/services/to-libraries/lunch/ —Statewide program offering free meals via public libraries.
• San José Public Library Food & Family Resources — (408) 808-2000 | https://www.sjpl.org/equity-inclusion/ — updated meal distribution info.
• Hayward Public Library Resource Center — https://www.hayward-ca.gov/public-library/resources/community — food and rental-assistance flyers.
• Fremont Main Library Community Resources Desk — (510) 745-1400 | https://aclibrary.org/families/#family-resource-center or https://aclibrary.org/social-justice/ — printed food and social service referral sheets.

County & Regional Hotlines

• 2-1-1 Bay Area — https://211bayarea.org/ — 24/7 referrals to local food, housing, and emergency-assistance programs.
• Santa Clara County Social Services Agency — (408) 758-3800 | https://ssa.santaclaracounty.gov/home — CalFresh food-assistance enrollment.
• Alameda County Social Services Agency — (510) 263-2420 | https://www.alamedacountysocialservices.org/ — CalFresh and food benefits.

Now is the time for neighbors to look out for each other. California’s strength is our compassion and unity and we will not be intimidated into fear.

Proud to serve, 

Dr. Aisha Wahab
State Senator, District 10