IAM District 947 in California represents more than 300 workers from various non-profit organizations, including the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE), and Inland Congregations United for Change (ICUC). These non-profits provide services such as legal support, education, youth leadership programs, and emergency response to immigrant and underserved communities.
IAM members working at these organizations are often immigrants or children of immigrants themselves. They work directly with communities affected by immigration policies and economic injustice. Jennifer Marin Esquivel, IAM District 947 Business Representative, stated, “We have members who joined these non-profits because they’ve lived or witnessed firsthand injustices. They’ve seen their own families and communities impacted by immigration policies. They know what’s at stake.”
Guillermo Quintanilla, a member of IAM Local 201 and CARECEN Lead Migrant Coordinator, said, “Yes, it can be scary… but that doesn’t mean that we’re going to stop. That doesn’t mean that we’re going to let ourselves be intimidated. We’re going to continue this good work… We know that we are on the right side of history.” Quintanilla added: “We know that the IAM Union stands with us, fights with us, and has our back, which makes all the difference. We know we are not alone in this.”
IAM nonprofit workers have faced threats due to their visibility in the current political climate. Some organizations have removed employee profiles from their websites for safety reasons. An IAM Local 201 member noted, “It’s hard to lead informational workshops when I’m receiving threats and constantly wondering whether those threats will come true, or if I’m putting my family or others in the community at risk. But I still have to do this work because people need to hear their rights.”
Despite risks, these workers remain active by organizing workshops on legal rights, participating in legal observation efforts, distributing food to vulnerable families, and responding rapidly during immigration enforcement actions. Marin Esquivel explained: “Our members are part of rapid response teams. They’re the ones running toward the threat, not away from it. They go to day labor centers and rallies, they record raids, they educate their neighbors. They are on the ground every single day.”
Rocio Veliz of CARECEN emphasized collective action: “Now that we’re part of the IAM, there’s a deeper sense of commitment. We can lean on each other. We’ve been able to push for stronger protections, educate more families, and advocate for policy changes – together.” She also said: “When one community is under attack – Black, LGBTQ+, immigrant – we all need to speak up. Silence is complicity.”
IAM District 947 has advised Locals and allied unions to include immigrant protections in union contracts—such as paid time off for immigration-related appointments and requirements for employers to notify unions about enforcement actions.
Sal Vasquez, President of District 947 stated: “The idea is simple… You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your wages or your safety to support your community or secure your own legal status. Our contracts should reflect that.”
Odette Moran from CAUSE described how union membership offers support during difficult times: “In these uncertain and heavy times, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed – but being in a union and community means we don’t face it alone… Even when the rain feels relentless, we find strength in holding one another.”
Earlier this year at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport a member of IAM Local 695 was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The union advocated alongside his family until he was released months later.
Brian Bryant, International President of IAM stated at a rally: “Union rights are immigrant rights! We will be here for whatever it takes, for as long as it takes.” Robert “Bobby” Martinez added: “The work our IAM Union non-profit members do isn’t just about providing services – it’s about living our union’s core values… Their daily fight to protect vulnerable communities reflects who we are: a union that stands for dignity, equity, and justice for all people…”
Bryant further remarked: “From coast to coast…the IAM message is clear: we will not allow fear…to divide us… When one of us is targeted…we all show up…”
Mayral Lopez of CARECEN noted how union involvement helps build empowered leaders who bring knowledge back into their communities.
Christian Fernando Flores described his experience as an organizer: “The most empowering thing I’ve done as an organizer was getting deeply involved in breathing accountability into a living document: the union contract.”
Veliz summarized her view on solidarity within IAM membership: “To me being union means protection… It means support… It means we’re not alone –and that we’re stronger when we stand together.”
