FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2025
Media Inquiries:
Senator Durazo, Coalition of Immigrant and Economic Justice Advocates Introduce Street Vendor Protection Act to Safeguard Private Data from Federal Administration
SACRAMENTO – Today, a coalition of immigrant rights and economic justice groups announced the Street Vendor Protection Act, SB 635, to safeguard vendors’ personal data from being used by federal agencies for immigration enforcement. The bill is authored by Senator Maria Elena Durazo (D - Los Angeles).
As the federal government continues its vicious attacks on immigrant communities, this bill provides a critical opportunity to equip and protect vulnerable workers in California by strengthening data privacy, clarifying local government programs, and keeping sensitive information out of the hands of immigration enforcement agencies. With this step, California can continue to support the street vendors who power our communities.
“I am proud to author SB 635, a bill that will further equip our street vendors with the resources they need to grow their businesses,” said Senator Durazo (S-26). “Street vendors are pivotal to
California’s culture and economy, and nationally they have been huge contributors to their communities. Now more than ever, California must come together to uplift and empower micro businesses across the State.”
SB 635 will:
Prevent immigration enforcement agents from accessing street vendor data collected by local governments;
Prohibit local sidewalk vending permitting programs from inquiring into immigration or citizenship status, or requiring invasive fingerprint background checks;
Prohibit local sidewalk vending enforcement officers from using their resources to support federal immigration enforcement.
The bill is co-sponsored by Inclusive Action for the City (IAC), the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), Community Power Collective (CPC), and Public Counsel along with a growing coalition of advocates representing immigrant communities, street vendors, and entrepreneurs across the state.
“The street vendors who sustain our neighborhoods and local economies are vulnerable to cruel and unjust immigration enforcement that threatens to separate families, disrupt communities, and endanger lives,” said Doug Smith, Vice President of Policy and Legal Strategy, Inclusive Action for the City. “SB 635 will add necessary protections to ensure that California’s local street vending programs remain tools of economic inclusion and opportunity, not fear and division.”
“Street vendors are an essential part of California’s economy and cultural fabric, yet they continue to face unnecessary barriers that threaten their livelihoods,” said Angelica Salas, Executive Director, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. “This bill is a critical step toward ensuring vendors have the protections they deserve. We are grateful to Senator Durazo for championing this issue and look forward to working together to advance the rights and economic security of street vendors across the state.”
“Across Los Angeles and throughout our state, street vendors deserve to earn their living and provide for their families in peace and safety. It’s critical that we pass SB 635 to safeguard their personal information and ensure they can participate in local government programs without fear,” said Sergio Jimenez, Senior Organizer, Community Power Collective. “We’re proud to organize with vendor leaders throughout the state who are leading the charge for justice and fairness.”
“Street vendors, now more than ever, need our support as they navigate the challenges presented by the new administration’s immigration policies. We must uphold their constitutional rights and protect their ability to make a living, formalize their businesses, and contribute to the cultural vibrancy of our communities,” said Ritu Mahajan, Directing Attorney, Public Counsel. “They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.”
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About Inclusive Action for the City
Inclusive Action is a nonprofit community development financial institution (CDFI) and economic justice organization based in Boyle Heights and serving communities throughout Los Angeles County. Inclusive Action’s mission is to serve underinvested communities and build thriving local economies by improving access to transformative capital, and advancing policy through collaborative research and community-driven advocacy.
About Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) was founded in 1986. CHIRLA is a California leader with national impact made of diverse immigrant families and individuals who act as agents of social change to achieve a world with freedom of mobility, full human rights, and true participatory democracy. CHIRLA’s mission is to achieve a just society fully inclusive of immigrants.
About Community Power Collective
Community Power Collective (CPC) is on a mission to build power with low-income tenants and workers through transformative, cross-sectoral organizing to win economic justice, community control of land and housing, and to propagate systems of cooperation in Boyle Heights, East LA and the greater Los Angeles area.
About Public Counsel
Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice, as well as to amplifying the power of our clients through comprehensive legal advocacy. Founded on and strengthened by a pro bono legal service model, its staff and volunteers seek justice through direct legal services, promote healthy and resilient communities through education and outreach, and support community-led efforts to transform unjust systems through litigation and policy advocacy in and beyond Los Angeles.