One year after ICE raids in Los Angeles disrupted communities, impacted businesses and resulted in an estimated $1 billion economic impact to the County, UNITE-LA remains committed to supporting employers, workers and immigrant communities through advocacy, resources and engagement.

At the Bay Area Council Economic Institute’s June report release event, UNITE-LA President Alysia Bell highlighted the urgent need for cross-regional collaboration to strengthen communities and economic resilience amid increased immigration enforcement activities.

In May, UNITE-LA attended Access Sacramento, an annual fly-in event hosted by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce to connect business leaders and stakeholders with Sacramento officials.

UNITE-LA hosted a timely discussion on the role of affordability in the systems that shape our cradle-through-career ecosystem. Speakers explored how education and workforce policies/investments can be powerful levers for economic mobility.

In April, UNITE-LA sent a business advocacy letter to members of the state legislature to prioritize ECE investments such as: supporting an alternative reimbursement rate for providers that reflects the true cost of providing child care; preserving Gov. Newsom’s wildfire investment for child care infrastructure; and including the additional 44,000 child care spaces per state statute. Fifty-one business organizations from across California signed on to the letter, representing more than 800,000 employers statewide.

In April, UNITE-LA was honored to cohost a Sacramento reception in partnership with the National Hispanic Construction Alliance (NHCA), convening more than 50 stakeholders to discuss workforce trends and the impact of immigration enforcement on the construction sector.

Access to affordable, high-quality child care is essential for both family well-being and workforce participation. Last month, UNITE-LA's Senior Vice President of Education Policy and Public Affairs, Sonia Campos-Rivera, joined an expert panel at the City of Los Angeles Early Care and Education (ECE) Expo to discuss the role local governments can play in expanding child care access and strengthening support for working families.

Workforce stability remains essential to the success of California's employers, workers and communities. Last month, UNITE-LA mobilized business leaders across the state to advocate for federal policies that support a strong and reliable workforce.

As Congress debated additional funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), UNITE-LA coordinated efforts to ensure policymakers heard directly from the business community about the importance of workforce stability. Our advocacy included a joint business letter, a press conference in El Sereno featuring UNITE-LA President Alysia Bell and local employers, participation in the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce fly-in and direct outreach to congressional offices, federal agencies and business partners.

Last month, UNITE-LA recognized our longtime partners at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) for their leadership in bringing together community, labor and civic organizations to mark May Day in Los Angeles. The annual event highlights the contributions of workers and the importance of expanding economic opportunity for all.

CHIRLA's Executive Director, Angelica Salas, who also serves as treasurer of the UNITE-LA Board of Directors, has been a strong voice for policies and partnerships that support working families and strengthen communities throughout the region.

Last month, participants in the California Accessing Economic Mobility (CAEM) Fellowship gathered for their second learning session, exploring practical strategies to expand opportunity for low-wage workers across California.

The session featured leaders from Opportunity@Work, the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), who shared insights on three approaches with significant potential to improve economic mobility: expanding access to child care, supporting immigration stability and adopting skills-based workforce practices. Together, the discussions reinforced a central theme: many of the barriers facing skilled, entry-level workers are solvable, and employers have an important role to play in advancing solutions.