Vida En El Valle: Immigrants honored for a day: Advocates focus on pushing immigration package

SACRAMENTO — Without immigrants, "there is no economy" in California.

That is what Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez, D-Coachella, believes.

At the 18th annual Immigrant Day last Monday, Pérez gave an impromptu speech on the west steps of the state Capitol to nearly 500 immigrants, community leaders, clergy and advocates.

Pérez said immigrants make up a third of the state's work force and a quarter of the total population, yet they continue to be deprived of the most basic of rights.

"Immigrants are ingrained in part of the fabric of California. We are all human beings. We all need to work hard to help those who are undocumented have access to health care, education and a pathway to citizenship," said Pérez.

With the lack of comprehensive immigration reform on the federal agenda, Pérez believes it is time for California to take the lead and urge President Barack Obama to press Congress on passing reform.

"The deportations have got to stop," said Pérez. "They are breaking up families, destroying the livelihood of entire communities. Here in California, we are going to continue fighting the good fight," he said.

Pérez pointed to efforts by the California Latino Legislative Caucus and state Sen. Lou Correa, D-Santa Ana, asking President Obama to halt deportations and urging him to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Senate Resolution 40 calls on Obama to stop deportations of undocumented immigrants who do not have a serious criminal history.

"It is unacceptable that thousands of people are deported every day, leaving children and loved ones behind," said Correa. "We should be helping immigrants, that come to work hard and enrich our country, gain legal status and encourage their participation in our society and economy," he added.

There are approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the country, of which 3 million are in California. Advocates said dysfunctional immigration laws severely impact young children brought to this country undocumented.

State Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Long Beach, is chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. He and other chairs of the major Legislative caucuses called on Obama to change his administration's deportation policies and take executive action to end the unnecessary separation of families.

"California continues to lead where the federal government is failing to act," said Lara. "But while we're making progress in the Golden State, federal immigration policies are causing serious distress in California.

"Countless residents are fearful of accessing programs and services that improve the quality of life for all Californians, including those who are undocumented. We can't send mixed signals. It's time that we treat our undocumented communities with dignity and it's time for the president to exert leadership through executive action."

New Assembly Speaker, Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, said she has and will continue to support any bills that stand to benefit immigrant communities and including sending a call to action in Washington to get comprehensive immigration reform passed this year.

"I join with you on calling congress on addressing one of the most pressing issues facing our state and our country and that is immigration reform," said Atkins. "Two simple words: immigration and reform. It doesn't matter how you put them together, it still means we have a great need in this country."

This year, immigration advocates focused on "One California," a theme to push forward a package of bills that would help immigrants.

The bills include SB 1005, which would expand access to health care for all Californians regardless of immigration status; and AB 1876, which applies state correctional facility standards to local jails when it comes to communication with families and lawyers.

Advocates also want the state to restore funding to the Naturalization Services Program.