SB 227 or the Safety Net for All Workers Act is on its way to the Governor's desk! This bill would require the Employment Development Department (EDD) to develop a detailed plan to establish a permanent Excluded Workers Program to provide cash assistance that resembles unemployment insurance benefits to unemployed workers who are ineligible for unemployment insurance due to their immigration status.
Though the funding for our bill was not secured in the 2023 legislative cycle, we continue to relentlessly advocate for a safety net for ALL excluded undocumented workers in California.

We are proud to co-sponsor SB 635 (Durazo), the Street Vendor Protection Act. Senator María Elena Durazo’s SB 635 is a critical bill to protect the privacy and safety of street vendors and immigrant workers across California. The bill prohibits cities and counties from sharing sensitive personal information—such as names, addresses, and business data—with ICE or other federal immigration authorities.

As local governments continue to collect more data through business licenses and permitting systems, it's essential to ensure that this information is not weaponized against immigrant entrepreneurs. Street vendors, many of whom are undocumented or mixed-status, deserve the ability to work and provide for their families without fear of deportation.

SB 635 is a response to growing concerns about data-sharing pipelines that put immigrant communities at risk. It strengthens trust in local government and upholds California’s values as a sanctuary state.

The Inland Empire is home to nearly 1 million immigrants, yet remains drastically underserved when it comes to legal support. Unlike Los Angeles or the Bay Area, our region lacks permanent infrastructure and sustained funding for removal defense and humanitarian relief.

A 2022 UCLA report found that over 70% of immigrants in deportation proceedings in the Inland Empire lacked legal representation—a factor that significantly reduces the chances of a successful defense. This funding proposal would correct that disparity by investing $5 million in legal service infrastructure targeted at our region.

These dollars would fund:
- Removal defense and humanitarian immigration relief (asylum, U-visas, T-visas, etc.)
- Capacity-building for local nonprofit legal service providers
- Know-your-rights education and rapid response coordination
- A regional Law Student Fellowship Program, placing law students with Inland Empire-based legal organizations to build a long-term legal pipeline rooted in community needs

The Law Student Fellowship Program would partner with law schools across California to bring trained fellows to the IE, focusing on direct representation, community education, and long-term career development in immigrant defense. These fellowships would help grow a locally-rooted legal workforce and offer real, sustained relief for thousands of residents.

As local governments continue to collect more data through business licenses and permitting systems, it's essential to ensure that this information is not weaponized against immigrant entrepreneurs. Street vendors, many of whom are undocumented or mixed-status, deserve the ability to work and provide for their families without fear of deportation.

SB 635 is a response to growing concerns about data-sharing pipelines that put immigrant communities at risk. It strengthens trust in local government and upholds California’s values as a sanctuary state.

HEAL, or Healthy Economies Adapting to Last, underwent a few amendments this year including increasing the timeline to implement and use the nearly $5 million dollars to transition away from Adelanto's prison economy. We are excited to see what the next few months hold for the beginning phases of implementation so stay tuned!

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