OAKLAND LANDLORD SUED OVER 'ARE YOU LEGAL?' TEXTS — IMMIGRATION THREATS ALLEGED TO PUSH TENANTS OUT

East Oakland tenants sued landlord Darrick Chavis, alleging he used immigration-status threats and lowball buyout offers to force them out after buying their buildings. Texts asking “are you legal?” followed refusals of $5,000 move-out offers. The suit, backed by the California Center for Movement Legal Services, also alleges rejected rent, neglect of repairs, and possible lead hazards; the Oakland City Attorney corroborated some claims. California law bars landlords from threatening to report tenants to immigration authorities.