You’ve probably have heard our story about the news that the city of San Diego now has an Office of Immigrant Affairs.
Mayor Todd Gloria announcing the plans to create it with just over a half million dollars to pay for the Executive Director and staff for the new office in the new city budget. Under previous Mayor Kevin Faulconer and his ‘Welcoming San Diego’ plan, the city had a manager of immigrant affairs.
It may be surprising that San Diego has not had an Office of Immigrant Affairs before. Surprising for a border city like ours. And surprising for a city that depends on immigrants more than other cities for its economy and is more impacted and influenced by immigrants than other cities.
You don’t live in San Diego for very long before meeting immigrants, both legally here and not legally here. And it doesn’t take long before getting to know them where you live, where you work, where you shop and where you dine.
In explaining the reason for creating the Office of Immigrant Affairs, Mayor Gloria says in a statement, “Immigrants are an important part of our community, but often feel disconnected or unsupported by their city government.”
Debates are sure to continue about border security and immigration policies, but for a city like San Diego, immigrants have and will continue to be a key part of our city and what it’s all about.
(Photo KOGO News)