CA Legislature urges Obama and Congress to enact immigration reform

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE URGES CONGRESS AND PRESIDENT TO ENACT COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM

By: State Senator Lou Correa, September 03, 2013

Correa measure captures broad bi-partisan support for federal immigration reform

Sacramento, CA— State Senator Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) announced today the passage of Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 8, legislation urging Congress and the President to reach an agreement on comprehensive immigration reform.

“I am pleased that members of the Assembly demonstrated strong support for comprehensive immigration reform. Congress must act now to enact the necessary reforms that California and the rest of the nation deserve,” said Correa.

As the nation’s most populous state and a border state, California is pivotal in the national immigration debate. California has over 3 million immigrants, the largest share in the country and they constitute a vital and productive part of our state’s economy, which represents approximately 15 percent of the nation’s total economy. Immigrants from various countries of origin represent a large share of new small business owners and create economic prosperity and needed jobs for everyone.

SJR 8 specifies that comprehensive immigration reform should include a reasonable and timely path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants living and working in the United States already. It should include health and comprehensive background checks.

Recent polling indicates that undocumented immigrants are closely tied to the American citizens. 85% of undocumented immigrants have a family member who is a U.S. citizen. Among these, 62% have at least one U.S. born child, and 29% have a spouse who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. Beyond children or spouses, an additional 20% have another family member who is a U.S. citizen, such as a sibling, niece or nephew, aunt or uncle.

There are approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States, 3 million in California alone, who are suffering under our dysfunctional immigration policy, including millions of children brought to this country undocumented who have grown up here under our educational system and call the United States home.

“Every day that members of Congress are gone from Washington and immigration reform legislation is not acted on, 1100 people will be deported. For economic, social, health, security, and prosperity reasons, we must support policies that keep families together and allow individuals to become legal and enfranchised participants in our society and economy,” added Correa.
SJR 8 passed overwhelmingly off the Assembly Floor with 63 “aye” votes in support and now will be formally transmitted to the President of the United States and Congressional leaders.

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