Assembly Members Elevate Immigrant Contributions and Advocate for Protecting Legal Services Funds in the Budget

Sacramento, CA- Yesterday, Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, presented a resolution on the Assembly floor to commemorate June 2024 as Immigrant Heritage Month in California. The resolution received strong support, with a number of Assemblymembers sharing powerful testimonies about the California immigrant community and elevated ongoing efforts to preserve critical immigration legal services and social services in the state budget. These programs include Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and California State University (CSU) Immigration Legal Services programs; the Children’s Holistic Immigration Representation Project (CHIRP); full funding for the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program; and Medi-Cal expansion for all Californians regardless of immigration status.

CARECEN-LA Policy Director Alexandra Morales and TPS Community Leaders Lorena Zepeda and Jose Ramirez alongside partner organizations were part of special guests of Assemblymember Cervantes. 

Members of the CARECEN delegation shared the following testimonies:

“On Immigrant Heritage Month we elevate not only the contributions and resiliency of our immigrant community but also the need to continue to meet the moment in standing in solidarity with and defending the many immigrant families that call California home, said Alexandra Morales, CARECEN-LA Policy Director. "Immigrants are a critical driver of our state’s socioeconomic success and achievements. This commemoration comes on the heels of the Biden Administration's re-launching policies that further put vulnerable immigrants and refugees seeking safety in harm's way. We call on the state Legislature and Governor to hold the line in defending immigrants against all anti-immigrant policies at all levels and to pass a budget that preserves critical legal and social services reflecting our state’s commitment to protecting immigrants.” 

“We are proud to represent TPS holders from our local committees in Los Angeles and the Inland Empire, who have tirelessly advocated for permanent residency for over a decade, said, Lorena Zepeda, CARECEN Member and TPS Holder. “We thank the Latino Caucus for the leadership necessary to reject proposed cuts to critical immigration legal services and social services so that our communities remain protected. We are committed to this fight and call on the Governor to ensure that funding for TPS legal services is not cut. ”