California Latino Legislative Caucus Members Call on California to Do More for Refugee Migrants at Border

SACRAMENTO – Members of the California Latino Legislative Caucus yesterday (1/3) toured migrant shelters on both sides of the U.S./Mexico border. After getting a first-hand look at the desperate conditions, Caucus Chair, Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) and Vice Chair, Senator Maria Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) joined their fellow Caucus members in demanding a more permanent plan instead of what appears to be the new normal: An exasperating policy by the federal government that exploits human tragedy on both sides of the border. 

“We are witnessing the systematic deterioration of human compassion and decency spurred on by the Trump Administration,” said Caucus Chair Asm. Gonzalez, “They are taking an already tragic situation and compounding it…all to score political points. These are human lives we are talking about. If the Federal government is failing to lead, California can and must do more to help address the migrant refugee situation.”

The Caucus Chair and Vice Chair were joined on the tour of migrant shelters by California Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and nine Latino Legislative Caucus members, including: Senators Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) and Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park); Assemblymembers Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters); Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens); Todd Gloria (D-San Diego); Monique Limon (D-Santa Barbara); Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton); Eloise Gomez Reyes (D-San Bernardino); and Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park).

“The California Latino Caucus pledges to work closely with the new Governor, the Attorney General, and our fellow members of the Legislature to come up with a permanent plan to address the migrant refugee crisis at our doorstep,” said Caucus Vice Chair, Sen. Durazo. “The shelters my colleagues and I visited are no place for the many families who are rightfully seeking asylum. We can do better, and we will.”  

MEDIA NOTE: (Photos of the Caucus’ tour of refugee migrant centers are available upon request.)

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The California Latino Legislative Caucus serves as a forum for members from 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 46 years ago, the Caucus has grown in both numbers and stature. There are now a record 33 members of the Caucus and more than half of the legislative members are women. The Caucus boasts a rich history of empowerment, legislative and political success and serves as one of the most influential and strategic organizations in California.