Latino Caucus Applauds Governor's Support for Immigration Reform and Immigrant Integration During May Budget

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:

“This week Governor Brown took great strides in making immigrant integration a priority for the state through the letter that he wrote to U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and through the May Budget proposal where he reaffirmed the need to have an educated workforce,” stated Senator Lara. “His commitment to ensuring that a priority is placed on the preparation of the state’s future workforce, echo the strong sentiment of the Latino Caucus and suggest we have many avenues for collaboration.”

Yesterday, Governor Brown sent a letter to U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D–CA) where he directed the Secretary of Labor to identify state special fund resources that can be used for the implementation of immigration reform.  This includes fulfillment of employment requirements and assistance in learning English.  Additionally, the Secretary of Agriculture is convening a task force on agricultural labor needs. 

The Latino Caucus has made immigration reform one of its top policy priorities for the year and has established an Immigration Reform Task Force to work with advocacy groups, organized labor, non-profits and employers. This Task Force will develop strategies to help secure passage of reform legislation and, thereafter, identify ways to effectively implement immigration reform in California.

“Having the Governor as a committed partner in this historic effort to reform our broken immigration system is very significant,” said Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez, head of the Caucus’ Immigration Reform Task Force. “The message to Washington D.C. from California is that we stand ready to help in any way necessary to secure comprehensive reform. Our workers and employers simply want legal clarity. Let’s provide it for them by getting this done once and for all.”

“On behalf of the immigrants who call California home and who constitute a fundamental asset to our state’s economy, I want to thank Governor Brown,” stated Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva. “His support is vital for reform and I look forward to working with him to bring a timely resolution to this matter.”

Contact: Lizette Mata (916) 651-4033, (209) 969-3277

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The California Latino Legislative Caucus serves as a forum for members of the State Senate and Assembly to identify key issues affecting Latinos and develop avenues to empower the Latino community throughout California. Following in the footsteps of generations of pioneering Latinos who settled and helped build this great state, Latino legislators united in 1973 to maximize their power notwithstanding their limited numbers.  Since its creation 40 years ago the Caucus has grown in both numbers and stature.  It boasts a rich history of legislative and political success and serves as one of the most influential and strategic organizations in the state.