Democratic Senator María Elena Durazo joined dozens of street vendors and advocates in Boyle Heights on Wednesday to urge Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign SB 635, legislation aimed at protecting the privacy and data of street vendors across California.
Introduced in February, the Street Vendor Business Protection Act would safeguard the personal information of street vendors from being accessed by immigration enforcement agents. The bill passed through the legislature on Sept. 12.
Currently, some local governments are allowed to collect and store information – such as citizenship or immigration status— from people applying for street vending permits. In some jurisdictions, vendors are even required to undergo fingerprinting. Under California state law, federal authorities, including immigration enforcement agencies, can access that data.
Durazo, who represents Boyle Heights and other Eastside neighborhoods of Los Angeles, spoke at a press conference at Las Fotos Project on Cesar E. Chavez Avenue, highlighting the bill’s importance to immigrant and working-class communities.
“We want the governor to take action now; there’s no reason to wait any longer,” Durazo said. “When federal agents try to silence our vendors in our neighborhoods, we’ll rally to support them. When licenses become weapons of persecution, we pass laws to protect that information; that’s what this bill is all about.”
Ofelia Ruíz, an L.A. street vendor for three decades, explained that many vendors like her have been living in fear, with several choosing to stay at home rather than risk arrest and deportation.
“Not only do we contribute to the economy of the state and country, but we also feed people, provide basic needs, light up the streets and offer spaces where our communities can coexist,” Ruíz said.
What does the bill propose?
The bill will:
- Prevent immigration enforcement agents from accessing street vendor data collected by local governments, such as L.A. County or the city
- Prohibit local sidewalk vending permitting programs from inquiring into immigration or citizenship status, or requiring invasive fingerprint background checks
- Prohibit local sidewalk vending enforcement officers from using their resources to support federal immigration enforcement
Who supports the bill?
Co-sponsors of the bill include groups and organizations that support the street vending economy, such as Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Inclusive Action for the City, Public Counsel and Community Power Collective.
Shannon Camacho, a representative of Inclusive Action for the City, reiterated the impossible choices street vendors have had to make under the constant threat of ICE agents descending on their places of work.
We have no time to waste. SB 635 is a clear way to protect vendors and their families… and show that California values them and their invaluable contributions to our culture, economy and communities, she said.
What’s next?
Newsom has until Oct. 12 to sign the bill into law. The law would then take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
The governor can also issue a veto, effectively killing the bill. The legislature can then override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both the Assembly and the Senate.
