04/08/2026 - 8:00pm
AFL-CIO Congratulates Inaugural Class of Labor and Immigration Policy Fellows
The AFL-CIO is proud to introduce our first class of Labor and Immigration Policy fellows. While the fellows come from different parts of the country, different unions and different sectors, they all share one thing in common—they are all on the front lines of building the labor movement through organizing and defending immigrant workers. Each fellow was nominated by their home union, state federation or central labor council.
The fellowship supports these activists coming together, both virtually and in person, over a one-year period to build connections and support each other; strengthen their knowledge and skills through exchange and training; contribute to national and local pro-worker immigration policy advocacy; and amplify the critical work happening around the country.
In March 2026, the inaugural class of 27 fellows gathered in Washington, D.C., where they engaged with each other, as well as with union leaders, policymakers, advocates and organizers. Together, the fellows shared their experiences and strategized about how to defend our communities in a way that builds for a future in which all workers have full rights in this country. The fellows will continue to build together in 2026 and beyond.
The first class of fellows includes:
- Adrian Sauceda, director, inside construction organizing, Electrical Workers (IBEW)
- Angel Castillo, organizing director, UNITE HERE Local 1
- Anthony Samperio, political organizer, Oregon and Southern Idaho District Council of Laborers
- Ashley Snider Hamilton, senior campaign lead, IUE-CWA; vice president, Kentucky State AFL-CIO
- Belinda Lum, chief negotiator, Los Rios College Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 2279
- Brandon Johnson, trustee and shop steward, IAM Union (IAM) Local 2022
- Chris Lee Daniel, strategic organizer/trainer, Georgia AFL-CIO
- Cindy Marquez, financial secretary-treasurer, business agent, organizer and political director, Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 83
- Danie Tarrow, collective bargaining representative, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union-UFCW (RWDSU-UFCW)
- Darrin Howell, organizing director, Massachusetts AFL-CIO
- Dulce Gutiérrez, union, community and naturalization organizer, Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO
- Emily Markwiese, senior organizer, Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) Local 277
- Israel Flores, lead organizer, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 73
- Jessica Márquez-Muñoz, office manager, Laborers (LIUNA) Local 386
- Julissa Velazquez, community service liaison, Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO
- Len Harris, young worker and community organizer, Colorado AFL-CIO
- Maira Rivera, executive vice president, Orange County Classroom Teachers Association; secretary-treasurer, Florida AFL-CIO
- Marcelle Vielot, political trainer and lead organizer, Charlotte-Metrolina Labor Council, AFL-CIO
- Natalia Berthet Garcia, communications director, SEIU Local 509
- Octavio Chung Bustamante, marketing representative, LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota, Great Lakes Region
- Oscar Morales, organizer, Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 77
- Pia Rivera-Jones, deputy executive director, People’s Organizing Center, MLK Labor
- Raul Lopez Jr., assistant member program director, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW; president, Yakima South Central Counties Central Labor Council
- Rick Hernandez, president, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, Louisville, Kentucky, chapter; organizer, Bricklayers (BAC) Local 4
- Roxana Rodriguez-Torres, shop steward, Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, AFT Local 5017
- William Martinez Perez, international organizer, Ironworkers
- Zavier Myles, business representative, IAM District 776
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 04/08/2026 - 11:08
04/08/2026 - 8:00pm
Giving Back To Their Community: What Working People Are Doing This Week
Welcome to our regular feature, a look at what the various AFL-CIO unions and other working family organizations are doing across the country and beyond. The labor movement is big and active—here's a look at the broad range of activities we're engaged in this week.
Actors' Equity:
Equity publishes member-written letters reflecting on the lives of their fellow members who have passed away. Fill out the member commemoration form in the member portal to share your letters of remembrance. https://members.actorsequity.org/member-commemoration
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— Actors' Equity Association (@actorsequity.bsky.social) April 8, 2026 at 11:29 AM
AFSCME:
Air Line Pilots Association:
Alliance for Retired Americans:
Amalgamated Transit Union:
American Federation of Musicians:
American Federation of Teachers:
Student loan borrowers are being removed from Biden’s repayment plan that many depended on. Many are now scrambling to figure out their next steps. Is this what borrowers deserve after investing in their futures? www.businessinsider.com/student-loan...
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— AFT (@aft.org) April 8, 2026 at 12:20 PM
American Postal Workers Union:
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:
Boilermakers:
Bricklayers:
