Supporters of immigrant workers took to the steps of Oakland City Hall on Thursday asking city officials to restore $440,000 in budget cuts for day laborer programs.
The Streel Level Health Project estimates there are 300 to 400 day laborers who wait for work at informal hiring sites in Oakland. Beyond the day laborers they serve, SLHP has seen more immigrants recently coming through their doors.
While Oakland city officials are seeking to close a deficit, the budget cuts come at a time of increased peril for immigrant laborers with high-profile ICE raids nationwide. Day laborers work in essential industries, such as construction, landscaping, and moving…