On a Saturday afternoon, a multiracial, multi-generational group of 40 participants gathered in Lennox, California, for a powerful forum on the history of immigration. Organized by the Progressive Labor Party, the event spanned three crucial sections that explored the current state of immigration, the historical roots of displacement, and the ongoing fightback led by the working class. The forum reminded attendees that borders are a tool of capitalist oppression and only serve to divide and exploit our class. Leaders called for a revolutionary approach to addressing the crisis— emphasizing that the only solution to the ongoing deportation machine is communist revolution.
It is important to note that all participants in attendance were connected to us through the various aspects of mass work we have engaged in over the last decade. Whether it be the schools, the anti-police brutality work, the healthcare work, or the tenant’s work, the time and commitment to these areas yielded results for this event. Our commitment to organizing in mass organizations has led to modest growth in our area and we are continuing to reap those benefits.
Data, displacement, and the reality of immigration
The forum began with a thought-provoking presentation that provided data and statistics on immigration over the past 12 years. Graphs depicting the rise in immigration detention, deportations, and family separations set the tone for the discussion, showing that both Democratic and Republican administrations have largely followed similar policies. Despite their political differences, both parties have upheld and even expanded the immigration machine that deports families and denies basic human rights.
Participants were invited to reflect on how displacement is not limited to people crossing borders. The discussion highlighted how gentrification forces working-class families, particularly in neighborhoods like Inglewood, to leave their homes and move to poorer areas. Whether it is Latin American migrants seeking to escape imperialist-made disasters or working-class people being pushed out of their homes by profit-driven “urban renewal,” the root cause of displacement is the same: capitalism’s relentless drive for profit at the expense of human lives. The “Aha” moment came when a Party member pointed out that bosses have no borders when on the hunt for profits. For the ruling class, the borders are porous. They are only used to control movement of the working class.
The session left many participants with a clearer understanding of the economic and political forces behind the immigration crisis. As one participant put it, “The immigration issue isn’t just about borders—it's about people who are displaced by a system that sees us as commodities, not as human beings.”
The history of immigration and the role of NAFTA
The second section of the forum took a historical approach, examining how immigration issues have been shaped by international policies, including the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). NAFTA, which came into effect in 1994, is directly linked to the rise in migration from Mexico and other Latin American countries. The agreement displaced millions of workers by allowing multinational corporations to exploit cheap labor and destroy local economies. It also made it easier for U.S. companies to ship jobs abroad, while impoverishing communities in the process.
The presenters emphasized that the history of immigration is one of capitalist exploitation, with immigration policies often serving the interests of big corporations that benefit from cheap labor. This historical context is crucial to understanding why immigration policies have remained so harsh and discriminatory, no matter which party is in power.
The fightback – Organizing for change
The final section of the forum focused on the growing resistance and fightback against the immigration system. From individual actions to mass protests, community-led initiatives have been increasingly successful in interrupting immigration enforcement operations. The presentation highlighted grassroots efforts to block deportations, organize school walkouts, and disrupt ICE raids. It was clear that the struggle for immigrant rights is a vital part of the larger working-class struggle.
A particularly moving part of the discussion came from two young Black students, leaders of the school walkout on February 3, which saw hundreds of students protesting the threat of deportations (see CHALLENGE 3/12/25). These students shared their experience and the urgency they felt in pushing back against a system that criminalizes their families and communities. These students fought to strengthen the politics of the entire walkout by reminding the student body that immigration issues don’t just impact the Mexican community. “The bosses benefit from keeping us divided,” one of the students said. “This is why we felt it was so important to bring the message of working class unity to our peers.”
The forum concluded with a call to action: participants were urged to join in regular neighborhood rallies leading up to the May Day event, where the working class will take to the streets in solidarity. The rallying cry was clear: "The working class has no borders."
A communist solution: No borders, no deportations
Throughout the event, the underlying message was that the current system of immigration enforcement is not just a product of bad policies, but a direct result of capitalism. The capitalist class benefits from the exploitation of immigrant labor, and both the Democrats and Republicans have contributed to creating the deportation machine that has been expanded under Trump’s administration. As one participant pointed out, “The Democrats laid the groundwork for Trump’s deportation machine with policies like ‘Secure Communities’ and the expansion of ICE. In this system—it doesn’t matter who’s in power. What matters is dismantling the system that oppresses us all.” Additionally, policies like NAFTA, the criminalization of undocumented migrant workers, and the militarization of the border are tactics of U.S. imperialism. The growing inter-imperialist rivalry will continue to drive displacements until we overthrow this rotten profit-driven system.
The forum closed with a powerful reminder that communism is the only real solution to the issue of deportation. The working class has no borders—workers from all corners of the world share the same struggles. Only through collective action, solidarity, and the overthrow of the capitalist system can we truly dismantle the forces that exploit and oppress working people, including through deportations.
As the forum concluded, participants left with renewed conviction and a sense of purpose. The battle against deportations and displacement is far from over, but it’s a fight that will continue to grow in strength—until borders are abolished and the working class is united as one under the red flag.
