A Chula Vista native was appointed as the Executive Director of the city of San Diego’s new Office of Immigrant Affairs, which aims to promote inclusivity, and economic opportunity for immigrants and ease the transition by helping them feel supported in the community.
Mayor Todd Gloria today announced the creation of the city's new Office of Immigrant Affairs, which began work on Friday as part of his Fiscal Year 2023 “Ready to Rebuild'' budget. Gloria appointed Rita Fernandez, the current Director of Global Affairs, to serve as the Office’s first Executive Director.
Additional staff members for the Office will be hired in the new fiscal year.
"Immigrants are an important part of our community, but often feel disconnected or unsupported by their city government,'' Gloria said. "That's why I've created the Office of Immigrant Affairs, which strives to welcome immigrants to San Diego and make sure that their voice is heard by City Hall."
According to a city statement, the newly formed office will focuses on workforce development for the immigrant population, promoting inclusive resources to help foreign-born communities through the integration process. The Office of Immigrant Affairs will advocate for immigrant rights and develop a language access plan to provide translation and interpretation services for City programs and services.
Gloria’s office said that Fernandez, a graduate of the University of San Diego and the daughter of immigrants, will bring a unique perspective to her new role.
“I am humbled by this opportunity to build out an Office of Immigrant Affairs that will support all of our diverse immigrant communities in San Diego, which represent more than 115 countries around the world,” said Rita Fernandez, Executive Director, Office of Immigrant Affairs.
The city first appointed Fernandez to serve as Immigrant Affairs Manager in 2019 after launching the Welcoming San Diego strategic plan and Initiative. Fernandez previously worked as Associate Director in the Immigrant Affairs Office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and served in the Washington D.C. office of Congressman Juan Vargas, D-San Diego.
“The City of San Diego is committed to expanding resources and improving services for our city’s immigrants, and I am proud to be part of this effort. I am grateful to Mayor Gloria for appointing me to this role and celebrating his vision, leadership, and commitment to making us a truly welcoming city,” Fernandez said.
Javier Gomez will fill the role of Mayor’s Director of Global Affairs. Gomez brings five years of experience working in the California State Assembly, and more recently as Mayor Gloria’s Senior Advisor of Policy and Council Affairs.
“I’m excited to expand and elevate San Diego’s global profile and work with our foreign partners around the world to ensure we are promoting the many aspects that make San Diego so unique,” said Javier Gomez, Mayor Gloria’s Director of Global Affairs.
Gomez said he looks forward to continuing the city’s partnership with Tijuana, further strengthening the bi-national region, and attracting more foreign direct investment to San Diego.
“I want people to see the U.S./Mexico border as more than just an economic driver. At its core, our border isn’t about how much money it brings to our region, it’s about the people that live, work, go to school, and access healthcare on both sides of the border,” Gomez said.
