Residents, advocates press council for protections for day laborers and a hiring center amid ICE fears

Dozens of speakers used the San Bernardino City Council public comment period to press elected officials and staff for action to protect day laborers and immigrant residents from alleged harassment and to reduce the risk of immigration enforcement actions in public spaces.

Organizers with the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center and local advocates urged the city to work with them to create a formal day labor hiring center on a nearby commercial parcel (Parcel 014404265). "Day laborers are a vital part of San Bernardino's economy and community," organizer Angel Lyra said, and advocates argued a center would provide safety, order and a dignified way for employers and workers to connect.

Speakers described repeated incidents at the informal hiring corner by Home Depot at First Street, citing traffic stops, citations and what they described as harassment by a single officer identified in testimony as Officer Devlin. Hector Martinez, who described himself as a day laborer at the Home Depot site, said the group has video and photos showing repeated targeting on Saturdays and Sundays and asked the city and sheriff's office to stop the conduct.

Advocates asked to meet with the chief of police and requested that the council place the issue on a future agenda so the city can discuss temporary moratoriums on enforcement that criminalizes day labor activity on private lots and pursue a permanent day labor center solution. Alexis Toloto of the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center said the group has a memo with proposals and asked the mayor and city manager to add the item to a future meeting and to meet with police leadership.

Multiple speakers tied the request to broader concerns about ICE enforcement and impersonation. A commenter identified as KR spoke about fear in immigrant communities, noting the economic and educational impacts when families avoid public life because of immigration enforcement. Other public commenters, including community activists and service providers, said the city should take steps to ensure day laborers can access work without fear and to prevent additional civil liabilities that could arise if enforcement escalates.

Council members and staff were asked to convene meetings with advocates and police leadership. During the meeting, staff and several council members acknowledged the request; no formal council action to create a day labor center or to adopt an immediate moratorium was taken during the public meeting. Advocates said they will continue to pursue the issue and asked the mayor and city manager to place a staff report on a future agenda.

Why this matters: Advocates say day laborers are a source of earned income for many households and that fear of enforcement reduces economic participation, with knock'on effects on local businesses and families. The proposals would require city coordination with property owners, code enforcement and law enforcement leadership to create a legally enforceable, safe hiring site.