On October 16, 2026 three prominent labor leaders came together for a panel discussion on the labor movement’s role in defending immigrant rights. Moderated by UCLA Labor Center’s Global Solidarity Project Director Gaspar Rivera-Salgado, this panel discussion dived into the connections between the labor and immigrant rights movements and underscored the importance of building strong coalitions to combat rising authoritarianism and inequality.
Labor leaders David Huerta, President of SEIU California and SEIU-United Service Workers West (USWW); Bernie Burnham, President of the Minnesota AFL-CIO; and Kurt Petersen, Co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11, shared how their organizations have responded to the recent surge in immigration enforcement in the United States.
The virtual event concluded with a live Q&A session, addressing audience questions on organizing strategies, the current political moment and tactics for building solidarity.
Click here to watch a recording of the event on the IRLE’s YouTube channel.
