Immigrant Workers and Families
We advocate for workers – and the fair working conditions, living wages and economic mobility that workers deserve. Our work centers immigrant workers, and low-paid and informal workers of color.
We aim to advance laws and policies that expand protections for workers, expand workers’ economic and financial security, and support their livelihood and stability to provide for their families and build their future.
Federal Lawsuit to Protect Immigrant Workers and Entrepreneurs
In March 2025, Inclusive Action joined a lawsuit against the federal government to prevent ICE from illegally accessing IRS taxpayer data to target undocumented immigrants for deportation. This case is known as Centro de Trabajadores Unidos v. Bessent, and we serve as one of four co-plaintiffs across the nation joining the case to protect immigrant workers and families from these illegal data breaches that put them at risk. Read more about our legal fight.
State and local advocacy for immigrants
Immigrants Are LA
Inclusive Action is one of six co-chair organizations of Immigrants are LA (IRLA), a coalition of over 100 community-based organizations, faith-based groups and direct service providers in Los Angeles County.
We are advocating to expand services and resources for immigrants who are routinely excluded from federal and state-funded programs due to their immigration status. We are committed to ensuring an equitable distribution of resources to all Los Angeles County residents. IRLA collectively advocates for a County budget that is inclusive and centered around the needs of immigrants – especially when it comes to issues of housing, language access, worker justice and social safety net programs.
Read more about the coalition and our work.
Immigrant Worker Safety Net and Retirement
We research, design, and advocate for policies to create a stronger safety net for immigrant workers who are aging out of the workforce or excluded from government programs.
California is home to more than 10 million immigrants, including 2 million undocumented people who are ineligible for federal benefits. Despite contributing billions to Social Security and Medicare, undocumented workers lack access to these programs, are shut out of opportunities to build wealth and have to rely on informal savings. Many are forced to work into old age without a financial safety net.
Inclusive Action is working to ensure that undocumented immigrants in LA County have access to financial stability and retirement support. We are conducting research to better understand how undocumented immigrants are planning for retirement and what barriers they face. We believe in an equitable social safety net and ensuring all immigrants, regardless of immigration status, can retire and age with dignity.
Guaranteed Income
“Guaranteed Income” is a type of program that provides no-strings attached cash assistance to community members with the greatest need. It is a proven approach to fight poverty and create economic security for families.
Since 2019, Guaranteed Income pilot programs have launched across the country, providing growing evidence of their positive impact. These programs have improved health outcomes and housing stability, sparked entrepreneurship, and increased participants’ sense of stability and belonging.
Inclusive Action advocates for Guaranteed Income programs as a proven way to support families and strengthen our communities. Inclusive Action, alongside the Immigrants Are LA coalition, has been advocating for permanent guaranteed basic income programs for immigrant communities, particularly older adults that are not eligible for federal or state cash assistance programs. Since many immigrant community members struggle with barriers that affect their ability to save for retirement, we believe that long-term GBI programs can financially support our communities and expand access to dignified retirement.
Landscapers
Landscapers play an essential role in maintaining outdoor spaces in our communities. There are an estimated 35,000 landscaping workers in Los Angeles County, and seven out of 10 workers operate in informal business. Many have over a decade of experience and commute long distances for work, yet they remain excluded from protections, face low wages, and lack access to safety net benefits.
Inclusive Action is proud to work to bring the issues landscapers face to light through our new research – read our Under the Palms report on our reports page now. To turn this research into action, we co-founded the Landscapers Coalition in 2024 with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center and the UCLA Labor Center.
Recyclers
Informal recyclers, or “canners,” are workers who collect, sort, and redeem beverage containers under recycling programs. Canning is often a vital source of income for immigrants, older adults, people of color, and those from lower-income households – especially when facing barriers such as disability, language access, education or immigration status that make other jobs hard to access.
Through participatory research, we’re building relationships with recyclers, learning more about the challenges they face, and co-creating solutions that can be turned into policy advocacy.
Restaurant Workers
The restaurant industry is yet another industry in which immigrant workers and other workers of color are overrepresented. As a part of the Restaurant Equity Alliance, Inclusive Action supports better working conditions for restaurant workers, while supporting leveling the playing field for local businesses.
Building on the Korean Immigrant Workers Alliance’s recent report with the UCLA Labor Center, Overcooked & Underserved, we are working with workers and local business owners to develop and implement new industry standards that ethically serve restaurant employees and communities.