SACRAMENTO – On the same day that the Supreme Court’s decision in U.S. v Texas temporarily blocked implementation of immigration reform executive orders by President Obama, the California State Assembly passed House Resolution 53, proclaiming the month of June 2016 as Immigrant Heritage Month to honor the important role of immigrants in California’s economy and future.
California is home to more than 10 million immigrants, roughly one quarter of the nation’s entire immigrant population. Undocumented immigrants alone in California make up 10 percent of our state’s workforce, contribute $130 billion to our gross domestic product annually, and paid $2.2 billion in state and local taxes in 2010.
“Immigrants of all origins are facing renewed backlash across the country while still waiting for long-overdue reforms to make our nation’s immigration policies more rational and humane,” said co-author of the resolution California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego). “Today’s Supreme Court ruling reminds us how far our nation still has to go to treat our immigrants with respect, and how critical California leadership is to prove the importance of policies to empower and normalize immigrants.”
Gonzalez is the author of AB 1024 which allows DREAMers who pass the bar to practice law in California, and AB 1159 and AB 60 to crack down on predatory practices by notarios and other unscrupulous attorneys targeting immigrant communities. She is also the current author of AB 2159 prevent victims from being penalized for their immigration status in personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits. The first three bills have been signed into law by the Governor, while AB 2159 awaits action on the State Senate floor.
HR 53 was originally introduced by Assemblymembers Gonzalez and Lopez (D-San Fernando) and passed the full Assembly with 72 coauthors. The resolution was cosponsored by the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) and FWD.us.
