Daughter of Fernando Valenzuela denounces ICE raids

Maria Valenzuela, the daughter of the legendary Fernando Valenzuela, has spoken out for immigrants as President Donald Trump and his administration send Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) agents after undocumented immigrants.

In a moving post on Instagram, Maria Valenzuela decried the widespread separation of immigrant families during the Trump administration’s crackdown.  

“It’s inhumane. It’s heartbreaking. It’s personal,” the Dodgers legend’s daughter posted on Instagram. “Families like mine helped build this city. We deserve to be protected, not punished. We stand with every family under threat and we won’t stay silent.”

Fernando Valenzuela, who died last October, is arguably the most famous Mexican athlete in U.S. professional sports history. He broke into the majors late in the 1980 season and then captivated America with an 8-0 start to his rookie 1981 season.

Fernando Valenzuela helped the Dodgers win the 1981 World Series while also winning the National League Rookie of the Year and NL Cy Young awards that season.

More from Our Esquina

Dodgers win title, set parade on Fernando Valenzuela’s birthday

Icon Fernando Valenzuela transcended baseball

Splendid MLB Opening Day in Japan

In large part because of Valenzuela, America realized the depth of the Mexican and Mexican American population throughout all parts of the United States. The Dodgers’ ace left-hander was a proud immigrant of Sonora, Mexico.

Mexican-flag waving fans packed Dodger Stadium and every other Major League Baseball stadium where Valenzuela pitched. 

‘Proud daughter of immigrant parents’

“I’m a proud daughter of immigrant parents,” Maria Valenzuela wrote on Instagram. “They came to this country with dreams bigger than borders. My mom followed her heart, and my dad didn’t just pitch for the Dodgers. He pitched for every immigrant who believed they belonged.

“He helped shape a city and inspired generations of Mexicans to dream bigger. Behind the fame was the same immigrant story: sacrifice, struggle, and endless work for a better future.”

Against the wishes of California governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass, Trump called up the California National Guard this past weekend after mostly civil protests erupted throughout L.A. Trump also had 700 Marines sent to the Los Angeles area.

More than 44 years after his brilliant start to the 1981 season, the late Fernando Valenezuela still is a revered figure in Los Angeles and Mexico.

He was a proud immigrant who also became a U.S. citizen. 

“Because of their sacrifices,” Maria Valenezuela wrote of her parents, “I was born and raised in Los Angeles. They gave me a life they could only dream of (and) they gave everything to build a future not just for themselves, but for me.

“Now 45 years later, the same country they gave everything to is tearing families apart. They are not criminals. They are hardworking people. They are pillars in our communities. Our Mothers, Fathers and Neighbors. They deserve dignity not deportation.”

^{Feature photo from Maria Valenzuela’s Instagram page @dopechanel.}