Press Releases

SACRAMENTO – California Latino members of the California State Senate today are spearheading the passage of AB 60 (Alejo). The bill aims to provide undocumented residents in California with a valid driver’s license.

Since 2001, the Legislature has sought to allow the issuance of driver’s licenses to the undocumented immigrant community. This year, AB 60 advanced through the legislative process with a broad coalition of support including advocacy groups, labor and law enforcement.  However, recent amendments stalled the passage of this bill.

SACRAMENTO – The California Latino Legislative Caucus has submitted an amicus brief to the California Supreme Court in support of Sergio Garcia’s admission to the State Bar of California. The California Supreme Court, along with its counterparts in Florida and New York, are reviewing requests from qualified undocumented law school graduates who are vying for the opportunity to practice law.  Earlier this month, the State Bar informed the Supreme Court that   Mr.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Leaders of the California Latino Legislative Caucus issued the statement below in support of AB 1024 by Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego). This measure, which is co-authored by the Latino Caucus, permits the State Supreme Court to admit as an attorney any applicant who has fulfilled all requirements for a law license notwithstanding their undocumented status. The bill passed out of the Assembly tonight and heads to Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. for his consideration:

SACRAMENTO – Leaders of the California Latino Legislative Caucus issued the statement below in support of AB 1024 by Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego). This measure, which is co-authored by the Latino Caucus, permits the State Supreme Court to admit as an attorney any applicant who has fulfilled all requirements for a law license notwithstanding their undocumented status:

SACRAMENTO – Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus (D-Bell Gardens), Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez, Vice-Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus (D-Coachella) and members of the California Latino Legislative Caucus held the Caucus’ first public informational briefing on the status of a comprehensive immigration reform. Individuals and organizations from different sectors of the state gathered to hear a historical narrative of immigration reform and were provided a forum to voice comments and concerns.

SACRAMENTO – Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, commended Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today for the signing of AB 97 and SB 91, the budget trailer bills that revolutionize the distribution of state funding for California schools.  Under the new Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) school districts will not only receive more funding on a per pupil basis, but schools with high concentrations of disadvantaged English language learning students will receive substantial grants to meet their needs.

SACRAMENTO – On the heels of a historic vote in the United States Senate on comprehensive immigration reform legislation, Senator Ricardo Lara (D–Long Beach), Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus and Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez (D–Coachella) Vice Chair of the Caucus, released the following statement on behalf of the Caucus:

SACRAMENTO - Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Long Beach) released the statement below following President Barack Obama’s Speech on Immigration Reform this morning:

SACRAMENTO - Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Long Beach) released the following statement in honor of the late civil rights, labor leader and the founder of the United Farm Workers (UFW), Cesar Chavez:

“Nearly twenty years after his death, Cesar Chavez’s legacy continues to inspire communities in search of justice. This weekend he would have celebrated his 86th birthday. Even though he is no longer present, his legacy is well and alive.

SACRAMENTO – Following on the heels of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.’s remarks in support of a path to legalization during his May Budget Proposal, Senator Ricardo Lara (D–Long Beach) Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez (D–Coachella) Vice Chair of the Caucus, and Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) released the following statement on behalf of the Caucus: