Immigration
Immigration
California’s 23rd Congressional District, spanning a substantial portion of the Inland Empire and reaching into the High Desert, is a region defined by its rapid demographic change, economic diversity, and proximity to major transportation corridors. In this unique landscape, immigration is not merely a political topic but an indispensable engine of the local economy, a core component of the community’s social fabric, and a central determinant of its future. The district’s relationship with its immigrant population, both documented and undocumented, is complex, marked by both essential contributions and persistent social challenges.
The most tangible impact of immigration in the 23rd District is its role in the region's economic vitality. The Inland Empire is a massive logistics and warehousing hub, and the labor demands of this industry, alongside others, are heavily reliant on immigrant workers.
Workforce Stability: Immigrants, particularly those without legal status, fill essential roles across critical sectors, including logistics, construction, hospitality, and healthcare. California's economy, and by extension the Inland Empire, faces a high demand for labor in these industries, a gap that immigrants are uniquely positioned to fill. Studies indicate that immigrants, including undocumented residents, have a higher labor force participation rate than native-born residents.
Tax and Economic Contribution: Immigrant workers in California, including the approximately 8% of the state's workforce who are undocumented, generate billions in economic output and contribute substantially to the state and local tax base through sales, income, and property taxes. Removing this workforce, as various studies suggest, would have a devastating, multi-billion-dollar impact on the state's economy, an effect that would acutely disrupt industries within the 23rd District.
Entrepreneurship: Immigrants are also significant drivers of small business creation. Immigrant-owned small businesses generate local taxes, create jobs, and cater to the specific needs of diverse communities, contributing to the dynamism of local economies across the district's cities.
The 23rd Congressional District’s foreign-born population, while representing a lower share than in California’s coastal counties, is primarily of Latin American and Asian descent. This diversity is reflected in the district's majority-minority population and a high rate of households where a language other than English is spoken at home.
Cultural Enrichment: Immigration enriches the social fabric of communities from San Bernardino to Victorville, contributing to vibrant cultural life, cuisine, and strong community ties.
Bridging Generations: Nearly half of all children in California have at least one immigrant parent. This demographic reality means that the future educational and economic success of the district is inextricably linked to the well-being and integration of immigrant families.
While immigrants provide essential labor for the healthcare system, they also present unique challenges for local institutions. The presence of the renowned Loma Linda University Medical Center and its associated clinics is critically important, as they serve as a major academic safety net for a wide community, including immigrant families.
Healthcare Access: Immigrant communities, especially those with limited English proficiency or undocumented status, often face severe barriers to accessing preventative and routine care. This can lead to increased reliance on emergency services and higher rates of unmanaged chronic diseases, placing a strain on local providers like LLUMC.
The "Chilling Effect": Restrictive federal immigration policies create a "chilling effect," causing immigrant families to avoid interacting with public services—including schools and healthcare facilities—out of fear of deportation, which ultimately damages the health and educational outcomes of the entire community.
Addressing Disparities: The efforts of institutions like LLUH to provide culturally competent care, language services, and access through programs like the SAC Health System (FQHC) are crucial for stabilizing the health of the entire region.
Immigration is neither a crisis nor a panacea for the 23rd Congressional District; it is a fundamental demographic and economic reality. The vitality of the Inland Empire is sustained by the immigrant workforce that powers its logistics sector, contributes billions in taxes, and enriches its culture. The policy debate must therefore shift from whether to accept immigrants to how best to integrate and support them.
Addressing the challenges of healthcare access, housing affordability, and legal uncertainty—particularly through comprehensive federal reform and targeted local support—is the key to ensuring that the 23rd Congressional District can fully harness the potential of its diverse population and sustain its future economic growth.