CA Latino Caucus Statement on Governor Signing Historic California EITC Expansion

September 18, 2020

SACRAMENTO Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signed priority legislation of the California Latino Legislative Caucus that allows all income-eligible filers who use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to access the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), providing workers that were left out of federal pandemic recovery programs with necessary financial support during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.

“We know that immigrant workers have been disproportionately devastated by our current public health and economic crises. These tax-paying, essential workers continue to be shamefully and systematically left out of federal relief efforts," said Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. "Today's signing of AB 1876 reflects our inclusive California values and provides tax equity to all our residents, including tax-filing undocumented workers.  For years, the Latino Caucus has been fighting for this expansion of the California Earned Income Tax Credit to ITIN filers as it provides a critical safety-net for our lowest paid working families. We thank Governor Newsom for seeing these essential workers in their entirety for the human beings and full California residents that they are.”

“The United Way has called the EITC a widely recognized and effective anti-poverty program for pro-working families. Immigrants in California are the backbone of our economy. The decision to expand the Cal Earned Income Tax Credit to include all ITIN filers is good policy for California families,”
said Senator Maria Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles), Vice Chair of the Latino Caucus. “This is a step in the direction to create a stronger safety net in California for all our residents, regardless of immigration status.”

For questions or to schedule an interview with a member of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, contact Sami Gallegos:
Samantha.Gallegos@asm.ca.gov