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Dear Friend,
As the year winds down, I want to share how grateful I am to my family, colleagues, and community for your continued support as I serve as your Supervisor. I especially want to thank my dedicated and talented staff team for building connections in our district and supporting the progress we made this year. Thank you Dave, Aliza, Nickan, Briana, Cinthya, and Agnes!
 Proud of our progress in our first year in Office
I am proud of what we have accomplished together during our first year. Despite all the challenges we face, we are showing the power of an organized community. Deep appreciation to all of you for engaging in our town halls, zoom forums, Board meetings, and with our District 5 staff.
Thanks to Alameda County voters, we’re making critical investments:
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$1.4 billion in homelessness solutions with Measure W
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$1 billion in early childhood education with Measure C
Our Alameda County Together for All (ACT for All) Ad Hoc Committee, which I chair, continues to fight for the dignity and safety of our residents who are threatened by federal budget and policy actions.
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$7.5 million to support immigrant and refugee justice with rapid response, community organizing, and deportation defense
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$16.5 million to support food security including food procurement, distribution, and prepared meals for families, seniors, and unhoused residents.
Looking ahead, we will keep fighting for the dignity and safety of all our community members, and for healthcare, mental healthcare, housing, child welfare, and a strong safety net.
- Mark your calendar on Thursday, January 15 at 3pm for our next ACT for All Committee meeting where we will hear my proposals for an Immigration Enforcement Response Plan and ICE-Free Zones Policy.
- Stay tuned for our new year celebration to mark our first year in Office in January.
May the holidays bring you joy and rejuvenation
This holiday season, my Office and I are delighted to partner with the following organizations to support our communities across District 5 and Alameda County.
- With Raising Leaders, we distribute Thanksgiving bags with food and household goods to 700 families across the County, including at McClymonds High School in West Oakland.
- During Lend a Hand Foundation’s annual Joy of Giving event, we provided 500 families with coats, pajamas, school supplies, and toys.
- In collaboration with Asm. Liz Ortega’s annual Diaper Drive, we provided over 500,000 diapers to over 2,000 children.
 For those who are able to give, please consider contributing to Stand Together Bay Area. We have a bold goal of raising $10 million to provide urgent financial assistance for immigrant families in need. Every dollar counts.
In solidarity,
Nikki Fortunato Bas 勵琪 (she/her)
Supervisor
Alameda County, District 5
In this newsletter:
- ACT for All — Defending our Communities & our Safety Net
- Food Security Rapid Response Fund
- Pushing Back on Public Charge Policy Changes
- Protecting & Defending Immigrants & Refugees
- ICE Free Zones & County Readiness Plans To Protect our Communities
- AAPI Communities and Pardon Refugees Campaign
- Organizing, Solidarity, and Collective Protection
- Homelessness Solutions
- Measure W community meeting
- Healthcare Is a Human Right
- Medi-Cal Working Group Organizes Towards Dec. 31 Deadline
- State Roundtables on Healthcare
- Alameda Health System Prepares for Major Budget Cuts
- Protecting our Children - Child Welfare update
- LGBTQ+ Cultural District Celebrates 2 Year Anniversary
- Rest in Peace & Power, Coach John Beam
- Events & Announcements
- Around the District
The Alameda County Together for All (ACT for All) Committee, which I chair, continues to fight for the dignity and safety of our residents who are threatened by federal budget and policy actions. In November, we discussed two proposed policies, which I introduced – a countywide immigration enforcement response plan and an ICE-Free Zones policy; we also heard from AAPI community members about threats of deportation facing Southeast Asian refugees in particular. In December, our committee welcomed food justice organizations to share their important work addressing food security during the federal government shutdown and beyond, and we heard about the threats of proposed changes to the Public Charge policy.
Food Security Rapid Response Fund
During our December 4, 2025 ACT for All Committee meeting, I invited the Alameda County Community Food Bank (ACCFB) and Oakland Thrives to report on the Alameda County Rapid Response Food Resilience Fund. I worked with public and private partners to launch this Fund on October 31st ahead of the November CalFresh freeze. We provided $2 million in emergency funding for small to medium community-based organizations (CBOs) and the Food Bank. Fund contributors included my District 5 Office, Alameda County Office of Education, Oakland Thrives, and a number of private funders.
The ACT for All Committee presentations highlighted how advocates and funders came together quickly to leverage our Food Sovereignty Roundtable. The Roundtable is convened by my staff — starting with one on one meetings over the summer when the H.R. 1 big, brutal budget passed, and gradually expanding the network of CBOs from September onwards. We recognize an unprecedented spike in immediate food needs and are striving to provide urgent support to organizations.
CBOs like ACCFB and many of its partners greatly appreciated the timing of this support, noting that the Board’s approved $16.5 million in Essential County Services Funds are still being processed for dispersal to food access and other organizations. The Rapid Response Fund resources critically supplemented ACCFB's efforts to provide 1 million more pounds of food in November than it provided in November 2024. ACCFB saw a significant increase in neighbors going to food distributions for the first time - including people struggling to make rent and other basic costs of living. ACCFB also noted how a majority of its partners have emphasized the need to keep food security front and center moving forward: not just during the recent CalFresh delays and current holiday season, but also given upcoming cuts to the program, eligibility changes, and the chilling effect of the proposed Public Charge policy.
 Oakland Thrives also shared details on the impact of the Fund, which supported 74 unique organizations all across the County through the $1 million that was designated for small to medium CBOs (with the other $1 million of private funders’ support going to ACCFB). Oakland Thrives shared that while the Fund has been distributed, it remains critical for the County to support small to medium CBOs working diligently to strengthen our countywide food system for the long term.
View the meeting recording here and the slides here.
Pushing Back on Public Charge Policy Changes
At our December 4, 2025 meeting of ACT for All, we heard a report that the Trump Administration has proposed new rules for Public Charge that will have adverse effects on immigrant communities. The U.S. government defines a public charge as a person who is likely at any time to become primarily dependent on the government for assistance. A public charge rule has long been part of U.S. immigration law and is one of the grounds of inadmissibility for new immigrants. A Public Charge “test” is used for those who are applying for LPR (green card) or certain visas. The current public charge rule, issued by the Department of Homeland Security, took effect on December 23, 2022.
The new rules would remove the provisions of the current Public Charge rule so that it could expand the range of benefits considered as public charge; increase uncertainty and inconsistency in how cases are evaluated; and potentially discourage immigrants and families from using essential public programs for which they are legally eligible. The Public Charge “test” will be at the discretion of immigration officers who will have broad discretion to consider, on a case-by-case basis, a wide range of factors such as health, wealth, and the use of various public benefits, such as Medi-Cal, WIC, and CalFresh.
Thank you to our federal lobbyist CJ Lake and Bay Area Legal Aid for sharing information with our committee. See the meeting video here, Bay Area Legal Aid’s slides here, and the County’s comments here.
At the November 6, 2025 meeting of the Alameda County Together For All (ACT for All) Ad Hoc Committee, comprised of myself and Supervisor Elisa Márquez, we heard critical updates on how changes in federal immigration policies and budget decisions continue to impact Alameda County residents, especially AAPI and Southeast Asian refugee communities. My office also brought forward two proposals to further protect and prepare ourselves from escalating ICE and federal actions against immigrant and refugee communities and communities of color.
As attacks on immigrant and marginalized communities escalate nationwide, our work together is more urgent than ever. We are deeply grateful to our partners in this critical work:
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Alameda County Immigration Legal Education Partnership (ACILEP) led by Centro Legal de la Raza, supporting a Rapid Response Hotline, Know Your Rights Trainings, and wrap around services
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Alameda County United in Defense of Immigrant Rights (ACUDIR) led by Trabajadores Unidos Workers United, supporting community preparedness, mutual aid, and neighborhood-based resources
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Alameda County Collaborative for Removal Defense (ACCORD) led by California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice, providing due process legal services
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Alameda County Public Defender’s Immigration Unit, providing crucial legal defense for non-citizen residents
We also truly appreciate our District 5 organizations and volunteers who are protecting our communities in our neighborhoods and workplaces everyday. Thank you for gathering with our Office to share feedback on our proposals and continue strengthening our defense of our communities.
 ICE Free Zones & County Readiness Plans To Protect our Communities
As federal enforcement increases, fear and instability are persisting across local immigrant and refugee communities. Our County response must meet the moment with the same clarity and determination shown by community leaders. In alignment with the calls for solidarity and collective protection emerging throughout the region, our Office is advancing two critical policy proposals:
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Countywide Immigration Enforcement Response Plan: Directs the County Administrator to coordinate a rapid-response plan with County departments, community partners, and local agencies to ensure the protection of individual rights, access to critical County services, public safety during immigration enforcement activity, staff training and preparation, clear and timely public communication, and safeguarded access to courts, hospitals, and other essential facilities.
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County Policy Establishing “ICE-Free Zones”: Restricts the use of County-owned and County-controlled facilities for immigration enforcement, with anticipated components including standardized signage, clear internal procedures, and physical and logistical protections to ensure consistent implementation. Jurisdictions around the country and the Bay Area are developing similar Ice Free Zones; read more in The Mercury News.
These proposals were first heard at the November 6th ACT for All Committee meeting (video here), where we learned about current plans from AC Health and the Social Services Agency. The Committee continued these items to January 15, 2026 at 3:00 PM to incorporate feedback from the Offices of the Sheriff, District Attorney, Probation, and Public Defender, and General Services Agency. These departments will discuss current policies, experiences and lessons learned, operational considerations, and opportunities for alignment and coordination.
Our goal is simple: every resident should be able to access health care, courts, schools, and public services without fear. Coordinated response plans and ICE-Free Zones are essential tools in building community safety and power during this time. Please join us at the ACT For All meeting on Thursday, January 15th at 3:00 pm to continue these important conversations.
AAPI Communities and Pardon Refugees Campaign
At the November 6, 2025 meeting of the Alameda County Together For All (ACT for All) Committee, we also heard from AAPI communities. Between January and July 2025, 18% of ICE arrests in our region involved individuals from Asian countries, including many Southeast Asian refugees with deep local roots.
This year’s record number of Southeast Asian deportations, especially following Memorial Day weekend, exposed long-standing failures in U.S. refugee resettlement policy and the enduring school-to-prison-to-deportation pipeline. Southeast Asian refugees remain 3 to 5 times more likely than other immigrant groups to be deported due to old convictions, despite having served their time, rebuilt their lives, and contributed to our communities for decades.
This federal administration has intensified deportation actions against Southeast Asian communities by reinterpreting long-standing repatriation agreements and stripping away long-standing protections, increasing deportations for decades-old and already resolved convictions, using ICE tactics that bypass due process, and applying diplomatic and economic pressure on foreign governments—actions that have prompted strong national pushback from community organizations and legal advocates. These actions target people who arrived in the U.S. as children and who are now parents, workers, caregivers, organizers, and essential members of our neighborhoods. Most importantly, throughout this harm, communities are refusing to be silent. Grassroots leadership across generations and across ethnic lines is growing, bringing forward new networks of healing, solidarity, and power-building.
 Several community-based organizations shared the on-the-ground work they are doing to support residents navigating deportation risks and trauma, including advocating for pardons of old convictions. These organizations are the backbone of safety and resilience in our communities. They include: Asian Health Services, Center for Empowering Refugees & Immigrants, Asian Prisoner Support Committee, New Light Wellness, and API Legal Outreach. For more information, watch the November meeting for their presentations and see my Board Letter with information on these organizations.
Organizing, Solidarity, and Collective Protection
ACT for All meets monthly, monitors federal actions, and coordinates with community organizations and advocates who are leading the most essential work on the ground. We are deeply grateful to the Board of Supervisors for its ongoing investment in immigrant and refugee communities, and to the organizational partners, community members, and volunteers who continue to organize, educate, support families, and protect our neighbors. We are also grateful to be working in solidarity and partnership with our counterparts in counties across the Bay Area. Thank you to the County of Santa Clara for convening us in November. My Office and I were honored to host our convening in December and look forward to strengthening our work together.
 In this moment, we must move forward with a shared purpose. Building safety requires organizing. Power comes from solidarity. Together, we fight for a county and region where every resident can live free from fear, with dignity, respect, and belonging.
Measure W community meeting
On November 17, 2025, I cohosted a District 5 Measure W Zoom forum with County Housing and Homelessness staff (recording here). I gave a recap of the incredible community effort to inform the use of $1.4 billion to implement the Home Together Plan with homelessness prevention, intervention, permanent housing, and access to services; and over $250 million to support Essential County Services. Appreciations to the community presenters who joined us, including an unhoused community leader, a street health worker, and staff from the North County Family Housing Resource Center. Presenters shared about a range of needs that the Home Together Fund should strive to support, including: proactive street outreach to help prevent crises, transparency around the impact of housing services, sanctioned encampments, increasing shelter options for families, nutritious food access within shelters, and much more. Participants asked many questions of Housing and Homelessness staff in the Q&A segment. You can find the slides here and sign up for updates on the Home Together Fund - including any funding opportunities - here. To view other district community meetings, click here.
Healthcare Is a Human Right
Medi-Cal Working Group Organizes Towards Dec. 31 Deadline
 In October, I created a Medi-Cal Working Group to address urgent and emergent issues related to Medi-Cal given the cuts from H.R. 1, the big, brutal budget bill of Congress and President Trump. We have addressed immediate issues related to outreach and enrollment given the December 31 deadline for those with Unsatisfactory Immigration Status (UIS) to be enrolled in Medi-Cal or be subject to a lifetime ban. We have worked with our county agencies – AC Health and Social Services Agency, Alameda Health System, Alameda Alliance for Health, Alameda Health Consortium, community health clinics, mental health providers, and our legislative delegation to advance these issues. An upcoming focus will be ensuring that those with UIS stay enrolled in Medi-Cal beyond December 31 or they will also be subject to a lifetime ban. These cruel policies of the Trump Administration will lead to worse health outcomes, a destabilized and defunded health care system, and more families facing poverty and having to make choices between paying the rent, purchasing food or accessing health care.
Learn more about Medi-cal and CalFresh enrollment at: healthyac.org.
State Roundtables on Healthcare
On November 7, Asm. Mia Bonta, Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, convened an East Bay Roundtable on the Health of Healthcare in California – one of several roundtables across the state. I was grateful to participate and strategize with numerous stakeholders about strengthening our state’s healthcare infrastructure.
 Alameda Health System Prepares for Major Budget Cuts
On November 18, 2025, the Board of Supervisors held a joint meeting with the Board of Trustees of the Alameda Health System (AHS) to discuss fiscal and programmatic issues. (See the presentation slides here.) AHS is the county’s public hospital system comprised of Wilma Chan Highland Hospital and several other community hospitals and clinics. They are a critical part of the health care safety net for county residents, and state law places the responsibility on the County of Alameda for ensuring that indigent health care services are provided.
AHS is facing severe cuts due to President Trump’s big, brutal budget bill. They are projecting $70-100 million in cuts by 2027. In anticipation of these cuts, the AHS Board of Trustees recently voted to lay-off over 300 staff and offer early retirement packages as a way to reduce the lay-offs. This cut reflects $37 million in savings for fiscal year 2026 and a total of $78 million in cuts. I am deeply committed to the county’s charge of ensuring that we have safety net health care services. I plan to work closely with AHS and stakeholders to strengthen the safety net and be an advocate for additional resources from the state to offset federal cuts.
Protecting our Children - Child Welfare update
Alameda County must protect our children, support families, and build public trust. A recent state audit of the County's Department of Children and Family Services revealed systemic problems that have failed our children and families. We are taking responsibility and implementing the recommendations in the audit, as well as addressing concerns from the broader community including our clients, our staff, children and family advocates, elected leaders, and the general public. I believe it’s important for all the stakeholders to feel heard.
On November 25, 2025, the Board of Supervisors heard and discussed the Department’s action plan. View the Board meeting here, and read the Department’s presentation here. As a member of the Board and the Social Services Committee, I want to ensure that we are making progress month by month to protect our kids. I requested the following:
- metrics that will help us track improvements, such as caseloads, investigations, response times, and staff vacancies
- public dashboard to track progress on these metrics
- regular updates to the Board
Since the November meeting, staff has been developing the public dashboard to track progress and it is on the Department’s website. Staff is also executing a new service contract to support family finding to increase child placements with family members.
The next update will be at the Board’s Social Services Committee meeting on January 26 at 2:30pm and at our March work session.
LGBTQ+ Cultural District Celebrates 2 Year Anniversary
 My staff joined the LGBTQ Center and diverse partners who came together to celebrate the second anniversary of the Oakland LGBTQ+ Cultural District and Rainbow Crosswalk ribbon-cutting. Countless queer and trans community members shared about how they are working to deepen intentional partnerships, strategies, and tactics towards increased health and safety needs in the community. On my behalf, my staff shared how our Office continues to stand with the queer and trans community amidst heightened federal policy and budget attacks. We also uplifted the ACT for All Committee’s work connecting different providers serving LGBTQ+ individuals to inform the Board of Supervisors in our work to support our community; and the $1.5 million in service stabilization that County staff subsequently recommended and I supported to go to LGBTQ+ service providers this Fiscal Year.
Rest in Peace & Power, Coach John Beam
 My heart goes out to Coach John Beam’s family and loved ones after his tragic and untimely passing. It was inspiring to get to know Coach Beam’s legacy of mentorship and coaching. After he won the national title at Laney College in 2018, my very first ceremonial resolution as an Oakland City Councilmember was celebrating Coach Beam and the Laney College Eagles as the #1 junior college football team in the state and nation. It was pure joy to meet Coach Beam and the players and to pack the Council Chambers to honor them. That winning team had a 90% graduation and transfer rate and 12 former OUSD student athletes. They dealt with a lot of adversity during that season, including team injuries and having to find a smoke-free field to play on after the Camp Fire. Their success was the result of hard work and dedication of the team, coaches, and supporters under Coach Beam’s leadership. Thank you, Coach, for positively impacting the lives of thousands of young men in Oakland. Save January 10th for a celebration of life for Coach Beam at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts.
Report Federal Misconduct with CA DOJ
Now Californians can report misconduct by federal agents to the CA Attorney General at oag.ca.gov/ReportMisconduct.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new online portal to assist members of the public in sharing information with the California Department of Justice regarding potentially unlawful activity by federal agents and officers across the state. Federal agents have broad authority to enforce federal laws, including federal immigration laws, but they must do so lawfully. The portal, which allows Californians to submit video and photos, will help the California Department of Justice capture and create a record of potential unlawful conduct by federal agents, such as the use of excessive force, and inform potential actions the Department may take to protect the rights and safety of Californians.
“The Trump Administration is engaging in a campaign of terror and fear that has left some California communities scared to go about their daily lives. From unmarked military-style vehicles to detainments that more closely resemble kidnappings, Californians are rightly concerned that federal agents may be crossing the line and abusing their authority. The President’s actions these past 10 months only lend support to this conclusion,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Let me be clear: Federal agents can enforce federal laws, and no one should interfere with them doing their job. But federal agents must also do so lawfully and in compliance with the Constitution. If you believe a federal agent is acting unlawfully, you can report it to my office at oag.ca.gov/ReportMisconduct.”
2026 Point-In-Time Homeless Count
Alameda County, in partnership with the City of Oakland City Administrator's Office Homelessness Division, invites you to participate in the annual Point in Time (PIT) count. This crucial event helps us understand the scale of homelessness in our community. We are seeking 400+ volunteers to ensure a comprehensive and meaningful count. The PIT count will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Your participation is key to the success of the PIT count. Volunteers help in surveying, data collection, and engagement with the homeless community. Your contribution will provide invaluable insights that aid in the development of targeted solutions.
You can learn more here and sign up to volunteer here.
Kwanzaa Holiday Listening Session!
 The Alameda County Reparations Commission invites you to a special community event honoring the spirit of Kwanzaa and uplifting local voices.
December 29, 2025
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Henry J. Kaiser Center, Oakland
Opening remarks by Dave Clark, KTVU Anchor
Free food & beverages
All are welcome! Come learn, share, and connect as we celebrate culture, community, and collective growth.
More info: https://reparations.alamedacountyca.gov
AC Health Black Infant Health Program
 🤰🏾✨ Pregnant or recently had a baby? Join Black Infant Health free group sessions to connect, share, and feel supported. 💕
👩🏾🤝👩🏾 BIH programs are open to all Black women who are 16 years or older, pregnant or up to six months postpartum at the time of enrollment regardless of income.
Services are free and provided by Family Health Advocates, Group Facilitators, Public Health Nurses and Mental Health Workers.
Learn More About BIH Programs & Enrollment: Call 510-618-1967 or go to https://blackinfanthealth.org/enroll/
Sen. Adam Schiff Affordable Housing Tour, 12/5 – It was a privilege to join elected leaders & housing advocates to talk housing and tour Native American Health Center’s Flicker.
 Rep. Lateefah Simon Telephone Townhall, 11/5 – It was an honor to join our Congresswoman to share updates & answer your questions.
 Asm. Mia Bonta Health Roundtable, 11/7 – It was great to join our State leaders to strategize about strengthening our healthcare system.
 Congrats to Newly-Appointed Emeryville Mayor Sukhdeep Kaur, 12/2
 Alameda County Social Services Agency Policy Breakfast, 11/7
 Reparations Listening Session in District 5, 11/15
 Strengthening Oakland: Responding to Current Threats, 11/7
 Women’s Cancer Research Center Proclamation, 11/18
 World HIV and AIDS Month Proclamation, 12/16
 Veterans Day Proclamation & Swords to Plowshares Annual Celebration, 11/7
 LoveLife Foundation Annual Gala, 11/15
 EBASE 25th Anniversary, 11/7
 SEIU 2015 organizing new healthcare facility in Alameda, 11/19
 AFSCME 3299 Strike at UC Berkeley, 11/17
 Trans Awareness Week Fundraiser, 11/6
 Go Bears! Amazing Cal Football Victory with Chancellor Lyons & 100 Black Men, 11/29
 Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir 40th Holiday Concert, 12/6
 Alameda Co. Building Trades Council Holiday Party, 12/5
 Berkeley Food Network and Mayor Ishii Holiday Party, 12/7
Find Alameda County resources here: ACGOV - Services | Alameda County.
Find Information on Board of Supervisors meetings here: bos.acgov.org/broadcast/.
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