Our immigration system is broken.  And when employers can abuse our flawed immigration laws to retaliate against workers who stand up for their rights, all workers suffer.  We know that for all workers - immigrant and non-immigrant - to have good jobs with dignity and respect, we urgently need a just and compassionate immigration reform.

At the end of January, the Contra Costa Times ran a great article profiling two Bay Area union members who were able to come out of the shadows as a result of the last overhaul of immigration reform in 1986.  As Rosalinda Rodriguez, a Unite-HERE 2850 member recalls in the article, "[The employers] treat people differently when they know they can take advantage of you.  In my job now, I can speak up. I can speak without fear."

Some people assume that with the political gridlock in Washington, immigration reform is not on the legislative agenda for 2010.  As Ruben Navarrette Jr. argues in his op-ed in the Mercury News, claims of immigration reform's death are premature. 

We agree with Mr. Navarrette's conclusion, but his claim that the labor movement is at odds with Latinos over immigration reform is completely false. Gerardo Dominguez, Director of Strategic Programs for UFCW Local 5, and Chair of the Worker Immigrant Rights Coalition, wrote the following letter to the editor:

"Ruben Navarrette is absolutely right that hope for humane immigration reform is alive and well.  But he's absolutely wrong about the labor movement. As a Mexican-American union leader, I'm proud that in my union, and hundreds like it, immigrant workers form a vital part of our membership and leadership. And the labor movement is passionately committed to winning comprehensive immigration reform this year. It's common sense.

"A system where no one's in the shadows and everyone can contribute fully to fixing our economy helps all working people. As for guest workers, expanding guest worker programs in their current form is just not in Latino workers' - or any other workers' - interest."

Be sure to check out EBASE's work around immigration. Together, we can win humane immigration reform that reflects our core values of equality and opportunity for all. To join our immigrant rights e-advocacy list, email info [at] workingeastbay [dot] org with "Immigration" in the subject line.  To get involved with the East Bay Interfaith Immigration Coalition, email Elizabeth at elizabeth [at] workingeastbay [dot] org.  

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