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Immigrants are an essential part of San José’s story. As we face increasing challenges across California, our City reaffirms its commitment to dignity, safety, and belonging for all who call San José home.

As City Manager Jennifer Maguire mentions in the City’s Welcoming San José Plan, “With nearly 40% of our residents born outside the United States and almost 60% speaking a language other than English, our community is a true reflection of global perspectives. Immigrants have always been essential to the story of San José and Silicon Valley — strengthening our local economy, enriching our cultural landscape, and modeling remarkable resilience.”

The Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs (OEDCA) recognizes the economic and cultural contributions of our immigrant community as entrepreneurs, innovators, business owners, artists, workers and taxpayers. Prior studies have shown that 60% of San José's small business owners are from ethnic or minority backgrounds and over half are immigrants.

Our office supports these immigrant workers, artists and businesses through accessible grants, trainings, resources and information, and leveraging bilingual staff and partners with strong connections to the immigrant community.

Business Owner / Employer Resources

Given the increase in federal immigration enforcement, including here in San José, OEDCA is sharing the below resources to assist business owners, Chief Operating Officers and Human Resources personnel to prepare their business for potential I-9 audits, workplace raids, and/or worker shortages.

• What to do if Immigration Comes to Your Workplace – an employer guide produced by the National Employment Law Project and the National Immigration Law Center.
• Know Your Rights: Resources for Immigrant Communities – a hub of bilingual, downloadable resources including FAQ’s on nonprofit and small business rights with respect to ICE.
• Preguntas Frecuentes sobre los derechos de las organizaciones sin fines de lucro y las empresas pequeñas con respecto a la Oficina de Control de Inmigración y Aduanas (ICE).
• Protocols, I-9 Audits, and Workplace Raids – a presentation slide deck from a February 2025 presentation organized by the City of San José Office of Racial and Social Equity.
• Legal Services:
  • Elevate Community Center offers free legal services for small businesses. Complete a legal service request or call 408-357-9538.
  • Santa Clara University’s Entrepreneur’s Law Clinic provides by-appointment advising on legal issues: law.scu.edu/elc

In addition, please follow the Santa Clara County Rapid Response Network on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with resources and updates on any presence of Immigration Enforcement Officials in Santa Clara County. They are also in need of volunteers to help verify ICE activity and provide legal observation on the ground. If you are a business owner, U.S. Citizen, and interested in volunteering, sign up here.

Using the resources above, here is a simple checklist:

• Know your rights and responsibilities during workplace enforcement;
• Post legal hotline numbers in common areas;
• Connect with local legal service providers in advance;
• Follow and support the Rapid Response Network

Local businesses are often the first point of support and information for immigrant workers. By staying prepared, business owners play a critical role in helping ensure safety, legal compliance, and continuity for their team.

Support your local immigrant business!

The city’s Shop Local page highlights more than 300 San José small businesses, many immigrant-owned, in 12 shopping districts where residents can shop and dine.

If you’re an immigrant business owner with a story to share—or know someone who is— send us your tips or stories for possible inclusion on the Shop Local page or for City and partner online spotlights.

For additional questions on how the City supports small businesses, please visit our Small Business Resources page (also available in Spanish and Vietnamese) or contact us at Economic.Development@sanjoseca.gov.