Remembering Cesar Chavez: Labor Leader & Immigration Hawk

Today is National Border Control Day, marking the 95th birthday of labor leader and immigration hawk Cesar Chavez. Although the anti-borders Left has adopted Chavez as a mascot, limiting the importation of foreign workers who competed with Americans was central to his pro-worker activism. In fact, he launched his famous boycotts of grapes and lettuce specifically because federal authorities, acting at the behest of agricultural interests, were turning a blind eye toward illegal immigration.

In a 1974 interview, Chavez said, “There’s an awful lot of illegals coming in. . . . They’re coming in by the thousands, it’s just unbelievable. See, they’re coming in with the consent of the immigration service.”

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Mark Krikorian

Mark Krikorian is the executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies.

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Today is National Border Control Day, marking the 95th birthday of labor leader and immigration hawk Cesar Chavez. Although the anti-borders Left has adopted Chavez as a mascot, limiting the importation of foreign workers who competed with Americans was central to his pro-worker activism. In fact, he launched his famous boycotts of grapes and lettuce specifically because federal authorities, acting at the behest of agricultural interests, were turning a blind eye toward illegal immigration.

In a 1974 interview, Chavez said, “There’s an awful lot of illegals coming in. . . . They’re coming in by the thousands, it’s just unbelievable. See, they’re coming in with the consent of the immigration service.”