LABOR DEPARTMENT LISTENS TO OPINIONS ON IMMIGRATION REFORM

FROM:  LABOR DEPARTMENT 
Hearing Firsthand About the Need for Immigration Reform

During U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez's jam-packed trip to San Francisco on Jan. 22, the topic on everyone's mind was the need to pass comprehensive immigration reform. Throughout the day, Perez heard from community leaders, culinary entrepreneurs, and CEOs representing some of the largest technology companies about the contributions that immigrants have made to the U.S. economy. Perez toured La Cocina, a San Francisco-based food business incubator that helps low-income entrepreneurs secure kitchen space, technical expertise and market access. Many, having come from immigrant families themselves, are eager to start their own businesses in the San Francisco area. Perez learned about the struggles and successes of these hard-working individuals, including Donna who, thanks to help from La Cocina, now sells her product "Love & Hummus" to Whole Foods Market. "It's impossible not to spend time here and be anything other than inspired," said Perez of the dedication and talent he saw at La Cocina. His next stop was Dolores Street Community Services for a meeting on immigrant integration and the workforce. Community leaders and advocates recounted personal stories and discussed the positive impact immigration reform will have on the economy. Perez emphasized that "immigration has always been bipartisan" and has had broad support from business and faith leaders. In the Silicon Valley, CEOs and senior executives from the technology industry met with Perez to discuss the contributions of the immigrant community, which comprises 36 percent of California's business owners and generates $34.3 billion in income for the state each year. Later on, Perez met with students at the Treasure Island Job Corps Center, a top-performing program. The center, one student told Perez, has "given me a second chance."