Immigration

From the days of our nation’s founding, immigrants, whether first-generation or tenth, have fueled America’s growth and enriched its fabric. Families across the North State share stories of ancestors who came seeking better lives. It’s time for our immigration system to reflect the enormous value immigrants have always brought to our nation.

An effective immigration policy doesn’t create cruelty. It prevents it. And recent enforcement tactics have proven just how much fear and disruption can rip through communities, families, and economies.

Priorities

Pass the DREAM Act, providing citizenship pathways for Dreamers who came here as children.
Enact comprehensive legalization for the millions already contributing to our economy and communities.
Strengthen State Department efforts to improve stability in Latin America, reducing forced migration.
Simplify and expand agricultural and essential worker visas, balancing seasonal flexibility with long-term stability.
Reform the immigration system to streamline family reunification processes and protect asylum seekers.
Expand legal pathways and worker visas to fill workforce gaps in California and reduce undocumented migration’s root causes.
Invest less in border walls and more in public infrastructure like schools, health care, and community facilities.

Why it Matters

The Human & Economic Toll of ICE Raids

A 3.1% drop in private-sector employment occurred in California the week after intensified ICE raids began, the deepest decline since the COVID lockdowns. This economic shock impacts entire communities, not just those directly targeted.
Widespread ICE raids have disrupted daily life, leading to fear, falling business revenue, and deep anxiety in cities like Los Angeles and Richmond.
Tragic incidents, such as a man killed while fleeing an ICE raid at Home Depot, underscore how enforcement policies can literally cost lives.
Economists estimate these crackdowns could cost California up to $275 billion annually by destabilizing key sectors like agriculture, hospitality, and construction.
In Oxnard, ICE enforcement has resulted in a 20-40% labor loss and $3-7 billion in agricultural losses, along with produce prices rising 5-12%.

Immigrants Power Our State

Immigrants make up over 27% of California’s population, and undocumented workers contribute nearly 5% of the state’s GDP in direct wages. This figure rises to 9% when considering ripple effects.
Together, immigrants contribute over $1 trillion in economic output and pay billions in taxes that are vital for funding schools, roads, hospitals, and public safety in communities that often cannot access those same services.
Nearly 45% of new businesses in California were started by immigrants between 2007 and 2011. Immigrant-founded companies like eBay, Google, YouTube, Tesla, and Qualcomm employ hundreds of thousands and generate hundreds of billions in revenue.

What I Believe

We must rebuild our immigration system into one that reflects the American values of respect, opportunity, and fairness. Throughout my work in rural communities across California and Central America, I’ve seen the human cost of broken systems, and the incredible strength and hope that immigrants bring in the face of those challenges.

Whether it’s a young person in El Salvador dreaming of safety and opportunity, or a family in rural California contributing to the vibrancy of their community, I carry their stories with me. These experiences have shaped my belief that immigration policy must uphold human dignity, strengthen local economies, and provide clear, compassionate pathways to citizenship.

This isn’t just about fixing a system; it’s about choosing to lead with justice, integrity, and humanity.

How I'll Lead

As your Representative, I will work to:

Support legislation that protects Dreamers and legalizes millions of hardworking, law-abiding residents.
Stop ICE enforcement measures that destabilize communities and stall economies.
Expand worker visa programs, like H-2A and others, to meet labor needs in agriculture, caregiving, and technical sectors.
Protect family unity and due process at the border and across our immigration system.
Champion immigrant entrepreneurship and integration through local grants, business support, and immigrant-serving partnerships in rural communities.
Invest federal dollars in schools, healthcare, and infrastructure, not walls or deportations.

Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and fairness. America’s progress depends on welcoming and empowering those who are striving to contribute their best.

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