IMMIGRANTS ARE ESSENTIAL TO CALIFORNIA’S ECONOMY

CA4US is the largest statewide coalition of business, labor, philanthropy, and civic leaders working to protect immigrant communities and raise awareness around the devastating economic impacts of immigration enforcement.

Business, Labor, and Civic Leaders Agree: ICE Raids Are Hurting California

We stand with seven in ten California voters who disapprove of the way immigration enforcement is being carried out in the Golden State, and we stand together to call for humane immigration and enforcement policy that provides a pathway to citizenship, upholds civil and human rights, and reflects the vital contributions of immigrants and their families to the economic, social, and cultural health of our regions, state, and nation.

Read the CA for U.S. Coalition Statement

ICE Raids hurt california

IMMIGRANTS ARE PART OF CALIFORNIA COMMUNITIES

Read the research behind the facts on the Resources page

  • Over 10 million Californians are immigrants. making up a significant portion of the most populous state in the Country.

    • Among farmworkers specifically, 33% are undocumented and 75% are immigrants.

    • Disruptions to CA farms affect the national food supply: CA farmers produce one-third of all vegetables and three-quarters of all fruits and nuts consumed in the U.S., and CA is the exclusive domestic producer of 19 specialty crops – including almonds, pistachios, raisins, and olives

    • Without undocumented labor, California’s agriculture industry would shrink by nearly 14% of its GDP

    • Food prices could increase by 14.5% nationwide by the end of 2028 under current mass deportation policies

    • Nearly 11% of self-proprietorships in CA are owned by undocumented immigrants

    • Over 80% of housekeepers who own small businesses are immigrants,; nearly 39% of them are undocumented

    • More than half of childcare providers who are small business owners are immigrants, and 20% are undocumented

    • 26% of construction laborers are undocumented, but 32% of construction laborers who own businesses are undocumented. If a business owner is deported, the entire operation may collapse – even if employees remain.

  • “This included close to 60% of polled Republicans, 75% of independents, and even 56% of those who intended to vote for Trump (…) Across most categories, a commanding majority of California voters expressed support for a pathway to citizenship.” (LA Times, May 2025)

About CA FOR U.S.

California’s workforce, small businesses, and local economies depend on immigrant communities. Aggressive immigration enforcement disrupts industries, reduces consumer activity, and weakens economic stability for everyone.

CA4US brings cross-sector leaders together to elevate economic data around immigration enforcement and share the lived experience of business and community leaders in the immigration conversation. We believe California’s future depends on policies that support immigrants and recognize the vital role they play in helping our state grow and thrive.