NDLON builds power for
immigrants who do hard
jobs for low pay

Español

NDLON organizes with immigrants for better wages, safer work, fairer opportunities and basic rights. We work for justice. We are a grassroots organization fighting for change, building power from the bottom up. We are committed to nonviolence in action, language and thought.

Our Mission
and Vision

Mission - NDLON improves the lives of day laborers, migrants, and low-wage workers. We build leadership and power among those facing injustice so they can challenge inequality and expand labor, civil, and political rights for all.

Vision - NDLON aspires to live in a world of diverse communities where day laborers live with full rights and responsibilities in an environment of mutual respect, peace, harmony and justice.

Why We Exist 

NDLON is dedicated to advancing the rights of day laborers by providing strategic guidance to its member groups on organizing, mobilizing, and advocating for worker rights. We also work to strengthen solidarity within the broader labor movement.  

Beyond advocacy, NDLON takes legal action against state and federal governments, as well as businesses, to defend workers' rights. We actively expand the network of worker centers across the United States, creating essential spaces for support and organizing.  

NDLON also fights for progressive immigration policies, including the promotion of sanctuary city initiatives and limiting collaboration between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local law enforcement. We strongly oppose anti-immigrant policies and continue to resist efforts that threaten immigrant communities.

  • Our Work

    NDLON empowers workers by helping them organize to confront inequality, defend their rights, and tackle issues such as exploitation, abuse, and wage theft in workplaces. Operating at the crossroads of immigration and labor, NDLON establishes safe environments, fights against racism and xenophobia, and leverages community activities, arts, and culture to enhance workers' leadership in the pursuit of justice.

  • Our Commitment

    We work with day laborers, primarily immigrants, and represent 70 member organizations across the country. Additionally, we collaborate with organizations in Latin America as part of our transnational network.

  • Our Approach

    NDLON builds immigrant power by strengthening local capacity and creating vibrant examples that showcase immigrant courage and creativity. Our approach integrates innovative legal strategies, communications, and arts and culture to support and amplify grassroots organizing.

  • Our Story

    NDLON was founded as an alliance of 12 community-based organizations and worker centers dedicated to improving the lives of day laborers in the United States. Over the years, it has grown into a nationwide organization supported by a dedicated and expanding staff committed to social justice. Despite its growth, NDLON remains deeply rooted in grassroots organizing, maintaining a strong connection to its member organizations and the day laborer community. 

Timeline of Key Moments

In

1980

War and economic upheaval breakout in Latin America.

Wars and economic upheaval in Latin America spur migration to the U.S., where day laborers start gathering on street corners.

Police and immigration authorities join forces in "polimigra" harassment and scapegoating of jornaleros. The first day-labor centers emerge California — in Costa Mesa (1987) and Harbor City (1989) — and are attacked by politicians and "Minutemen" militias.

In

1994

NAFTA is implemented, while California enacts Proposition 187.

NAFTA takes effect, California passes Proposition 187, and Clinton militarizes the border.

The North American Free Trade Agreement begins displacing millions of Mexican farmers. As day-labor corners multiply, a backlash grows. Prop. 187 bars unauthorized immigrants from public services. Clinton's "Operation Gatekeeper" treats migration as a threat. Jornaleros respond by organizing.

In

1996

A casual soccer game between day laborers launches a movement.

Day laborers from San Francisco and Los Angeles hold a friendly soccer match and end up kicking off a movement.

The North American Free Trade Agreement begins displacing millions of Mexican farmers. As day-labor corners multiply, a backlash grows. Prop. 187 bars unauthorized immigrants from public services. Clinton's "Operation Gatekeeper" treats migration as a threat. Jornaleros respond by organizing.

In

2000

A major union forges ties with jornaleros.

A major union builds a bridge with jornaleros.

The AFL-CIO reverses itself and adopts a resolution to support elimination of sanctions of employers for hiring undocumented workers and to support an amnesty program for the undocumented.

In

2001

Our world is reshaped.

9/11 changes everything.

The Sept. 11 attacks occur just as the U.S. and Mexican governments are working together on plans for major immigration reform. Those plans are abandoned as the country enters an era of fear and hostility toward immigrants.

In

2006

a Breakthrough Alliance Reshapes the Labor Movement.

NDLON partners with the AFL-CIO.

A groundbreaking agreement opens the door for immigrant worker centers to be formally embraced by the labor movement.

In

2009

Immigration Enforcement Becomes More Entangled.

Obama makes the web of immigration enforcement even more entangled.

President Obama decides not only to keep 287(g) but also expand it through an initiative called Secure Communities. The program with the Orwellian name gives immigrant communities more reason to fear and avoid local law enforcement, and becomes a major target for resistance.

In

2012

Day Laborers Win at the Supreme Court.

A monumental Supreme Court win for day laborers.

In Comité de Jornaleros v. City of Redondo Beach, the U.S. Supreme Court upholds a 9th Circuit ruling that ordinances against day-laborer solicitation are unconstitutional. Thus begins a national wave of victories dismantling dozens of similar ordinances across the country.

In

2018

NDLON Helps Win ICE Out of LA Victory.

ICE Out of LA Coalition's victory.

As co-anchor of the ICE Out of LA coalition, NDLON helps win termination of Los Angeles’ 287(g) agreement. This ends the permanent presence of ICE agents in Los Angeles County Jail.

In

2020

A Safety Net for Immigrant Workers.

The pandemic hits – and a safety net is quickly built and deployed.

NDLON launches the Immigrant Worker Safety Net Fund in response to COVID-19. As work disappears and sickness spreads, the fund quickly raises $4.5 million to support low-wage workers and provide direct aid and infrastructure support to member organizations nationwide.

In

2025

Immigrants Lead Wildfire Recovery in LA.

Wildfires devastate the Los Angeles area – and immigrants step up.

NDLON’s Pasadena Community Job Center becomes the beating heart of the disaster response. Day laborers form volunteer brigades, clearing over 3,000 tons of debris. Nearly 12,000 volunteers distribute emergency supplies, clothing and hot meals. Trained immigrant workers begin the long, slow process of rebuilding.

In

2025

Trump 2.0 Threatens Immigrant Communities.

Trump 2.0.

The story repeats itself — only louder and more violently. Trump is back, with a clear promise to detain and deport millions. He talks about “cleaning up” the country. But this isn’t about safety. It’s about race. It’s about hate. It’s about using fear to hold power.