Latino Legislative Caucus Responds to the 2015-16 May Revise

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblymember Luis Alejo (D-Salinas), Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, issued the following statement regarding Governor Jerry Brown’s May Revise of the 2015-16 State Budget.

“As Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, I commend the Governor for proposing $5 million to aid the over 1.5 million Californians eligible for deportation relief under President Obama’s executive actions,” states Alejo.  “While this is a significant step forward for our state, we cannot ignore the over 2.5 million California residents who are eligible for citizenship.  These are residents who cannot fully participate in the civic life of this state because of the financial, linguistic and administrative barriers inherent in the naturalization process. Over the next few weeks, the Latino Caucus will continue to work with the Governor’s Office to ensure the final budget includes resources for naturalization.”

In March, the Latino and Asian Pacific Islander Caucuses jointly requested $20 million to provide resources to qualified non-profits assisting permanent residents and undocumented immigrants, who are eligible for naturalization or deportation relief, complete the application process.  To date, both the Assembly and Senate have held hearings on the proposal.

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Contact: Michelle V. Reyes (Press Secretary) / Michelle.Reyes@asm.ca.gov / (916) 319-2030