Small Businesses Under Threat In California — Our Solidarity Is Their Defense!
Call To Action
San Francisco is home to approximately 7,000 storefront businesses and 35 Merchant Associations, and we need more people power to reach them all. Your participation can make a real difference.
1) Join a one-hour volunteer canvassing training to prepare for outreach in neighborhoods across SF. You’ll learn how to register small business owners for a free, confidential legal rights training — focused on what to do during federal agent raids, workplace protections and rights, and the legal responsibilities of business owners.
Please register for a one-hour volunteer training session. Sessions are offered:
- Every Other Tuesday, 5:30 - 6:30 PM (https://rebrand.ly/wcottue)
- Every Wednesday, 12:00 - 1:00 PM (https://rebrand.ly/wcotwed)
2) Invite your family, friends, and networks to take part. Help connect Merchant Association members to the Jobs with Justice Solidarity Campaign — and build a movement to protect our communities. Please have your contacts email solidarity@jwjsf.org to find out how they can help keep SF’s small business community safe and strong.
Background
The campaign to protect vulnerable workers across San Francisco from violent raids by federal agents and strengthen solidarity among merchant associations and chambers of commerce is gaining momentum — but it won’t continue without your help!
Researchers at the UC Merced Community and Labor Center found that during June 2025 alone, large-scale immigration raids in Los Angeles and other urban areas caused a 3.1% drop in statewide labor participation, meaning roughly 465,000 fewer Californians reported working that week. This wave of raids included dozens of operations across small businesses like carwashes, restaurants, and clothing shops, particularly in Los Angeles and Central Valley agricultural hubs. Other urban areas may soon follow, and San Francisco is a potential target.
References (links to articles)
Refer to our previous update on the government shutdown
[1] Study shows impact of immigration enforcement on California's ... https://www.kpbs.org/news/border-immigration/2025/08/06/study-shows-impact-of-immigration-enforcement-on-californias-overall-workforce
[2] [PDF] The Effects of Recent Federal Immigration Enforcement on ... https://clc.ucmerced.edu/sites/g/files/ufvvjh626/f/page/documents/effects_of_federal_immigration_enforcement_aug_2025.pdf
[3] How LA's small businesses are preparing for future ICE raids https://www.marketplace.org/story/2025/09/26/la-businesses-prepare-for-ice-raids
[4] LA Small Businesses Struggling Amidst Immigration Enforcement https://www.kqed.org/news/12045517/la-small-businesses-struggling-amidst-immigration-enforcement
[5] California hit hard by fed immigration raids - Investigate Midwest https://investigatemidwest.org/2025/07/30/california-worlds-fourth-largest-economy-hit-hard-by-fed-immigration-raids/
[6] California's economy is already getting hit by immigration raids https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2025-07-30/people-reporting-to-work-in-private-sector-in-california-down-after-raids-report-says
[7] California restaurants are on edge over immigration raids - CalMatters https://calmatters.org/economy/2025/06/california-restaurants-immigration-raids/
[8] Thousands of Californians lost work after LA immigration raids https://calmatters.org/economy/2025/07/immigration-raids-california-jobs/
[9] Understanding ICE Raids at American Workplaces https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/fact-sheet/understanding-ice-worksite-raids/
[10] ICE deportations in California are up 78% since Trump took office https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/ice-deported-california-21075519.php
[16] Trump's Immigration Actions Are Taking a Toll on Local Economies https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/immigration-toll-on-local-economies-what-the-data-says/