In the latest installment of our “Meet the Candidates” series, the two contenders for California’s 11th congressional district — State Senator Scott Wiener and District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan — answered a single, focused question: Should the United States expand work visas and green‑card pathways? Both candidates answered “yes,” emphasizing how such reforms would benefit families, workers, and the region’s thriving tech sector.
Scott Wiener’s position
Wiener, a 56‑year‑old longtime San Francisco resident, said the nation needs a stronger pathway for skilled immigrants who come to work and make the country “better and stronger.” He called the current green‑card backlog “ridiculous,” noting that many applicants wait years or even decades for permanent residency. Wiener urged Congress to reform the broken system and create a clearer, faster route to citizenship.
Connie Chan’s perspective
Chan, 47, highlighted her own family’s immigrant story, recalling how her parents arrived when she was a teenager. She argued that each visa application represents a person seeking to reunite with loved ones, earn a living, and gain certainty about the future. Chan supports expanding work visas with “fair wages, strong labor protections and the freedom to change employers,” insisting that immigration policy should serve workers and families, not merely provide a captive workforce for corporations. She also called for clearing green‑card backlogs so immigrants can secure a stable path to citizenship.
Context: the Trump administration’s immigration stance
Since President Trump returned to office, his administration has sought to restrict employment‑based immigration, arguing that unchecked visa programs can undercut American workers. The administration maintains that tighter rules protect U.S. jobs and wages, a point echoed by many labor‑focused constituents who fear that foreign labor should not be used to depress domestic wages.
Local implications
San Francisco’s tech firms have long relied on foreign talent, and many workers in the Bay Area face uncertainty because of visa restrictions and limited green‑card options. Both candidates say that expanding visas and streamlining permanent residency would help fill critical skill gaps while preserving the city’s reputation as a global innovation hub.
Endorsements
Wiener’s campaign is endorsed by the California Democratic Party, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Sierra Club, San Francisco YIMBY, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, the North Coast States Carpenters Union, and Dolores Huerta, among others. Chan is backed by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, Congressman Ro Khanna, the California Federation of Labor Unions, SEIU California, the San Francisco Labor Council, the Working Families Party, and the San Francisco Tenant’s Union.
Looking ahead
Election Day is set for November 3, 2026. Voters in the 11th district can learn more about each candidate’s platform and register to vote via the sf.gov website.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
