California Latino Caucus Statement on the Planned Deportations

SACRAMENTO – Today, the California Latino Legislative Caucus issued the following statement on behalf of the Caucus regarding the threats made by President-Elect Trump on mass deportation of immigrants:

"California is a state that leads the nation. The reason California is a model for the world is its people, including the immigrants who call the Golden State home,” California Latino Legislative Caucus Chairman, Assemblymember Luis Alejo (D-Salinas), said. “The Latino Caucus has dedicated historical work and effort to ensure California’s immigrants have an opportunity to contribute to making our economy and culture stronger because as they prosper, California prospers."

Alejo added, “Throughout his campaign, the President-Elect boasted he would deport millions of immigrants and terminate DACA, the deferred action for childhood arrivals program. He has renewed those threats as President-elect and now, with the choices he is making for White House advisors, these threats are closer to becoming a horrific reality."

"California is home to the largest number of DACA recipients, with an estimated 238,200 applications accepted as of June 2016 (Migration Policy Institute). Let the record show that we intend to protect them,” Alejo pledged. "We would like to reassure the public, and our immigrant brothers and sisters, that we believe in respect, justice, dignity, and equality and that is how we will approach legislative action going forward."

"California is already great because California is good, and we will fight furiously and with intention to make sure that human rights are protected. That is our promise,” Alejo concluded.