In April, federal and state budget appropriations dominated CHIRLA's work for immigrants. At the federal level, we worked hard to ensure the FY23 bill includes immigration priorities. We know that nothing happens without a budget in government. How and where the dollars get spent is a reflection of Congress's priorities and vision for our nation. We also haven't forgotten about reconciliation as a chance for Democrats to pass a path to citizenship for the 11 million. In California government, we continue to press our Blueprint for the Golden Promise agenda that eases immigrant access to equity. Locally, we are laser focused on appropriations for the LA Justice Fund and local funds from the American Recovery Plan. Please read on!
FEDERAL UPDATE
Yes to Citizenship
On April 15, ahead of Tax Day, CHIRLA participated in a Congressional briefing with Make the Road and the Immigration Research Initiative about immigrants' contributions. Undocumented immigrants pay billions into federal, state and local coffers, but cannot qualify for most benefits, including Social Security and even stimulus checks to offset COVID-19. Watch briefing.
On April 27, Angelica Salas, CHIRLA executive director, traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Senator Alex Padilla, and the staff of New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez to discuss how immigrants may still get access to legal status this year. She described CHIRLA’s multi-prong approach, which includes a revived reconciliation package, appropriations that include immigrant priorities, or stand-alone immigration bills that set a path to citizenship, each alone or in combination.
Appropriations
On April 18, CHIRLA announced its appropriations priorities for FY23. We want federal funding for legal representation in immigration court, more funds for U.S. Cit and Immigration Services (USCIS), expansion of Pell grants/TRIO program to undocumented students, and less funding for ICE and CBP. See more here.
Our constant call to members of Congress: consider the federal budget a moral document that reflects the nation's priorities and values. This mean investing in people. It means promoting dignity, justice and integration of immigrants. And it means defunding programs and agencies that do the opposite.
Hearings: On April 16, the Homeland Security Subcommittee heard USCIS' FY23 budget request. Director Ur Jaddou spoke of improving the system by clearing visa backlogs and reducing processing time for applications. USCIS has about 8.5 million pending cases, and of those, about 5.3 million have been pending longer than their own estimated, published ranges. Director Jaddou wants to:
- strengthen the department's fiscal health
- raise hiring and improve employee morale
- promote efficient adjudications
- deliver on the humanitarian mission
- improve customer service and engagement
On April 27-28, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas appeared in hearings conducted by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, the House Judiciary Committee and the House Homeland Security Committee. In response to increasingly personal attacks by Republican committee members who seemed uninterested in his answers, Secretary Mayorkas discussed the President’s proposed FY23 Homeland Security budget, oversight at DHS, and Title 42. CHIRLA’s live commentary pushed back with facts against false claims about immigrants and "open borders" while pressing for a path to citizenship and a more just immigration system.
On April 28, the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Department of Education request. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona urged investments to help students pursue higher education and pay for it. The administration wants to expand federal student aid and double the maximum Pell grant by 2029, also opening it to DACA holders.
Universal representation: On April 26, CHIRLA joined the Veral Institute for Justice and the National Partnership for New Americans to launch the Fairness to Freedom/Universal Representation Campaign, pushing for legislation establishing a universal right to federally funded legal representation for anyone facing deportation, regardless of who they are, where they come from, or what they can afford.
“In addition to the cruel enforcement measures that break up families in the thousands on a daily basis, our nation's immigration justice system is nowhere near being just or fair to our community," Ms. Salas said. "This is why we need this campaign, which would build on the work already done in California and a few other states. We need action by Congress now."
STATE UPDATE
CHIRLA's State Agenda
Here are a few updates on bills that form part of CHIRLA's Blueprint for the Golden Promise:
- AB 2004 (C. Garcia) Dream Loan Modifications: On April 19, the bill passed out of the Assembly's Higher Education Committee (11-1). CHIRLA Member, Itzia Salinas, a student at Cal Poly Pomona, testified about her experience with a Dream Loan and how it can improve. The bill heads to the Appropriations Committee.
- AB 1766 (Stone) CA IDs for All: With a double referral, AB 1766 passed out of both the Assembly Transportation and Judiciary Committees. The bill now heads to the Appropriations Committee.
- SB 836 (Wiener) Protecting Immigration Status in Courts: After passing out of the Senate Judiciary committee in March, the bill moved to the Senate floor and passed (28-0). It heads to the Assembly.
- SB 972 (Gonzalez) Street Food Vendors: On April 20, the Senate Health Committee passed SB 972 (9-1). The bill now heads to the Appropriations Committee.
One more reason to celebrate May Day: Healthcare for all CA seniors
Sunday May 1, 2022 marked the first day that eligible seniors, 50 years of age and older could enroll in full-scope Medi-Cal, regardless of immigration status. CHIRLA celebrated accordingly, marching in the streets for May Day and spreading the word about the new law. St. John's Well Child and Family Clinics were also on the scene, answering questions about the new law and providing COVID-19 boosters!
REGIONAL UPDATE
Los Angeles County
Care First: The Care First Community Investment (formerly Measure J) gathered project proposals for its 2022-2023 budget of $100 million. We look forward to seeing initiatives and programs developed to address the connected needs of immigrants and people of color facing systemic racism and over-policing in Los Angeles County.
City of Los Angeles
On April 13, Councilmember Curren Price Jr., a long-time ally and champion for immigrant Angelenos, announced the allocation of $1.25 million dollars for CHIRLA, CARECEN, and BAJI to provide immigration legal services, outreach, and education for immigrant families in Council District 9. Thank you, Councilmember Price for your solidarity and commitment to fighting for a Los Angeles that recognizes the humanity and needs of immigrant neighbors!
Los Angeles Justice Fund: The Board of Supervisors and philanthropic organizations have approved and are ready to enact a framework that includes all immigrants. They expect to launch the next iteration of the program by mid-May. But CHIRLA and its partners are still pressing the City Council to approve a framework for its part of the program that contains no criminal carve-outs. We are also working for the disbursement of the $2 million allocation for FY22 before June 30, the end of the fiscal year.
City redistricting commission: CHIRLA joined Common Cause, Advance Project California, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice in support of a City Charter amendment for the November ballot that creates an independent redistricting commission. Councilmembers Nithya Raman and Paul Krekorian introduced the idea in December, but the council has not acted. An independent redistricting body would make the process more equitable and transparent, expanding the electoral power of immigrants and Latinos across the city.
Los Angeles Unified School District
School Funding Equity: On April 14, CHIRLA joined education advocates across Los Angeles and submitted a letter supporting Senator Anthony Portantino’s SB 830, which reforms supplemental funding formulas and ensures better funding for Title I schools that serve low-income families. The bill would still require schools to enact a robut plan to address chronic absenteeism. The new funding formulas could redirect funding to school districts like LAUSD, which serve high numbers of immigrants, working class, and families of color.
Thank you for your attention!