In The News

By Maria E. Garcia

The general public knew Peter Chacón as a California State Assemblyman who served  from 1970-1992. Very few know or understand what Pete’s election meant to the Latino community.

From the time I was a small child I remember my parents going inside a building to vote. They would take turns voting as we sat in the car.  One parent would go inside to vote while the other parent would care for us. Then the reverse would occur. Voting was always a special activity and in many ways a mystery.

By: Melody Gutierrez & Nanette Asimov

Thousands of people living in the country without documentation formed long lines at motor vehicle offices across California to be among the first to apply for driver’s licenses under a law that went into effect Friday.

Rocelio Nicolas of Gilroy showed up at 3:30 a.m. He was first in line at the San Jose license processing center — one of four temporary centers opened by the Department of Motor Vehicles to deal with the surge of applicants.

Educator, Activist, California State Assemblyman 1970-1992
By Paul Chacon

Peter Chacon served in the California State Legislature from 1970 until his retirement in 1992 representing the urban core of San Diego. Upon his election, he became only the second Latino legislator elected to State of California public office in the past (100) years. Together with Alex Garcia, they formed the California Latino Legislative Caucus with a membership of just two.

By: Jeremy B. White

The powerful storm lashing Sacramento kept many people home last Thursday, but Rosario Aguilar was not among them. After eight years of living and driving unlawfully in California, the chance to get a legitimate license led him through sheets of rain to an information session held at a community services center tucked behind an Autozone on Fruitridge Road.

By: Patrick McGreevy

Just weeks before California begins to issue driver's licenses to people in the country illegally, the Department of Motor Vehicles has opened four new offices and hired more than 900 additional staffers to help handle the expected flood of applicants.

State officials expect that 1.4 million immigrants who are not lawfully in the country will apply for specially marked licenses during the first three years beginning Jan. 2. An extra $141 million has been budgeted to handle the applications.

By: Cynthia Moreno

By Melanie Mason

Lawmakers from both parties praised Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto's message of economic and political partnership between California and Mexico after the president's address Tuesday to a joint session of the Legislature.

By Patrick McGreevy and Melanie Mason

California lawmakers took a step Tuesday toward an overhaul of the voter-approved 1998 law requiring English-only instruction in public schools, another victory for Latino legislators seeking to strip away polarizing laws aimed at immigrants.

By: Melody Gutierrez

Sacramento -- California's top Democratic leaders are calling for the state to provide $3 million in legal aid to thousands of undocumented minors who fled violence in Central America.

Gov. Jerry Brown, Attorney General Kamala Harris and legislative leaders announced legislation Thursday that sets aside the money for nonprofits that provide legal help to unaccompanied minors in California.