Sarah Souza

As an Immigrant Rights Commissioner, Souza has worked collaboratively with her colleagues to uplift issues affecting San Francisco’s diverse immigrant communities. Recently, she was elected as the chair of the commission. She brings her lived experience as a DACA recipient and a firm commitment to improving the lives of immigrants while engaging diverse communities in local government.

Souza is an outspoken advocate for all San Franciscans, regardless of their immigration status. For over ten years, she has advocated for immigrant justice and economic empowerment for the most marginalized communities. She has extensively organized to bring low-income immigrants and the most vulnerable communities the tools to overcome financial barriers. Souza has been at the forefront of immigrant rights at the national, state, and local levels. She has met with elected officials at all levels of government to elevate the needs of our diverse immigrant communities.

She is a proud graduate of Mission High School and holds a Master of Public Affairs & Government, a Certificate in Nonprofit Management, and a Bachelor’s in Political Science. Furthermore, she is a graduate of the New Leaders Council and a 2019 Aspen Institute Scholar.

In 2019, she was appointed to the DCCC as the first Dreamer to serve on this body. During her term as a member of the San Francisco Democratic Party, she introduced resolutions in support of the public bank, strengthening the Community Reinvestment Act, immigrant inclusion within the state party, mental health support for immigrant students, and supported measures to advance racial equity. She actively advocated for a state public bank focused on equitable reinvestment for immigrants and people of color.

In 2020, as the Co-Chair of SF Commissions for All, she led the campaign to pass a charter amendment to remove voter registration requirements to allow San Franciscans, regardless of immigration status, to serve on local boards and commissions. In collaboration with immigrant-led organizations and leaders, Proposition C passed, allowing all San Franciscans to have a seat at the table. As the former president of the San Francisco Latinx Democratic Club (2018-2020), she promoted strategies elevating the importance of an inclusive democracy, particularly engagement of the most marginalized communities.

On the State level, she has served as AD 17 Delegate and executive member of the Chicano Latino Caucus. As a San Francisco Democratic Party member, Souza led efforts to allow noncitizens full membership in the California Democratic Party. As a result, the Bylaws Amendment has been adopted, which allows aspiring citizens to get elected and appointed as CADEM delegates.

SB714 was signed into law in 2022, granting aspiring citizens the right to get elected for county central committees across California due to Souza’s tireless advocacy, coalition-building efforts, and leadership to ensure immigrants have a seat at the table. Overall, Souza is committed to community empowerment and an inclusive democracy.