Meet San Diego’s First Immigration Affairs Manager

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Credit: City of San Diego

Above: San Diego Immigrant Affairs Manager Rita Fernandez appears in this undated photo

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As the “build the wall” chants still rock the President Donald Trump’s rallies, San Diego has chosen a different approach to the subject of immigration.

Aired: November 14, 2019 | Transcript

As part of the city's five-year "Welcoming San Diego" strategic plan, the city created the position of Immigration Affairs Manager and a Chula Vista native is the first person hired for the job. Rita Fernandez comes from Los Angeles, where she was the associate director of the Office of Immigrant Affairs.

She previously worked on border and immigration issues in the office of San Diego Democratic Congressman Juan Vargas.

Fernandez said she will work on issues ranging from education and financial literacy to assistance for small business owners and entrepreneurs.

She joined Midday Edition to talk about the challenges and opportunities of her new job.