Press Release
Posted:
WOODLAND, CA – On Wednesday, November 12, Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04) hosted a Know Your Rights workshop in Woodland to help Yolo County residents, small business owners, and employers better understand their rights and resources amid growing uncertainty for immigrant communities under the current administration.
The workshop brought together legal experts, workforce advocates, and community leaders to provide practical guidance and answer questions about workplace protections, immigration enforcement, and how to support immigrant employees and families.
Though Congressman Thompson was called back to Washington, D.C. to vote on the federal funding bill, he delivered recorded remarks emphasizing the vital role that immigrants play in California’s economy and communities.
“Immigrants are the backbone of our economy and our communities. They’re our friends, neighbors, colleagues, and working partners,” said Thompson. “From agriculture to education, our immigrant workforce is indispensable — yet this administration continues to target and undermine them. That’s unacceptable.”
"It's more important than ever that our immigrant community know their rights,” said Rodrigo Lopez, Agricultural Labor Coordinator at the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency. “We're grateful to Congressman Thompson for organizing this session to help educate our local employers on their employees' rights when it comes to U.S. immigration agencies."
California’s economy depends heavily on immigrant labor, with over 60 percent of the state’s agricultural workforce and more than 5,000 teachers who are DACA recipients. Thompson noted that if current immigration policies continue, the state could face an even deeper teacher shortage and labor instability across key industries.
The Know Your Rights initiative originated after Thompson’s office began receiving calls from local residents and business owners unsure of how to respond if federal immigration agents appeared at their homes or workplaces.
Thompson thanked the local organizations and experts who partnered to host the event and encouraged attendees to stay in touch with his office for assistance.