Immigrant Fresno

Immigrant Fresno recognizes and celebrates the presence and contributions of immigrants in Fresno and surrounding communities in California’s Central Valley.

One of our aims is to ensure that Fresno is a welcoming city to all immigrants.

We believe that Fresno and other local communities are strengthened through the adoption of immigrant integration policies that uphold the tradition of America being a nation of immigrants.

Immigrant integration includes:

  • Cultural and social integration that values acceptance, tolerance and diversity.
  • Civic integration that promoted the full participation of immigrant communities in our democratic political system.
  • Economic integration that allows immigrants to develop their human potential and contribute to our economic well being as members of our regional labor force or as creative entrepreneurs.

Fresno immigrants include our friends, neighbors, co-workers, employers, family members and even elected officials.

Our immigrants, like other Fresno residents, are human beings who are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect.

They are us.

They are Fresno too.

Why Are Immigrants Important to Fresno?

Our Fresno immigrants are business owners, teachers, doctors, engineers, farmers, public servants, students and neighbors; they are each and every one essential to our economic vitality.

Esmeralda Soria, Fresno City Council
Esmeralda Soria President, Fresno City Council

One out five children in Fresno County has one or two undocumented parents

hugo morales
Hugo Morales Executive Director, Radio Bilingue

Immigrants are what makes America Great

Pao Yang Executive Director, The Fresno Center for New Americans

“Fresno immigrants drive the regional economy and offer us an incomparable cultural wealth”

Jesus Martinez, CVIIC
Jesus Martinez Chair, Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative (CVIIC)

“Immigrants are a vital part of the fabric of this community!”

Elizabeth Jonasson, Fresno Unified School District
Elizabeth Jonasson Fresno Unified School District Trustee Area 2

Percentage of Residents Who Are Immigrants

In the City of Fresno
21%
In Fresno County
21.4%
In California
27%
In the United States
13.2%

The American Public Supports DACA

A January 19, 2018 CBS national poll finds that nearly 9 in 10 Americans support the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/most-americans-support-daca-but-oppose-border-wall-cbs-news-poll/

2014 Tax Contributions and Spending Power of Immigrants in Fresno Metro Area in Billions of Dollars (Source: NewAmericanEconomy.org)

Total Immigrant Household Income
4.3
Total Taxes Paid
1
Total Spending Power
3.2