Work Permit Bill for Undocumented Agriculture Workers Stalls in California Senate
August 28, 2015
By Michael Oleaga
The California State Senate has reportedly stalled on legislation that would provide work permits for the state's undocumented immigrants working in the agricultural industry.
California Assembly Bill (A.B.) 20 would establish a work permit program for undocumented workers already living in the Golden State. The work permit would give the undocumented immigrants a lawful right to work, particularly for the agricultural industry.
The author of the state bill, Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Salinas County, received word that his bill has stalled in California's Senate Appropriations Committee.
"I am deeply disappointed that thousands of undocumented farmworkers throughout the state will continue to live in limbo and fear, despite their significant contributions to California and its economy," Alejo said in a statement.
According to the California Department on Food and Agriculture, in 2013, agricultural exports accounted for $21.24 billion in value, a 15 percent growth from 2012. Based on the U.S. Department of Labor's estimates, half of the U.S. agricultural workforce are undocumented immigrants, although some industry figures project the rate exceeds 75 percent. Alejo's office stated estimates in California suggest 50 to 70 percent of California's farmers are undocumented immigrants.
"While A.B. 20 would have given thousands of hardworking men and women the ability to legally work in the state, it would have also given them peace of mind from deportation, keeping families together," Alejo continued. "It's a shame California will not be leading this important discussion at a time when anti-immigrant vitriol is at an all-time high."
Alejo's statement was a reference to comments made by Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, among the dozens seeking the party's nomination bid.
Anti-immigrant rhetoric included talks of ending the 14th Amendment's birthright citizenship provision, which grants U.S. citizenship to U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants. Further anti-immigrant remarks include Trump's plan to deport all 11 million undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S., use of the term "anchor babies," and elimination of "sanctuary cities," which include major cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City.
"While A.B. 20 received a set back today, I am determined and will continue to advocate for California's farmworkers who contribute so tirelessly to the economy of our state," said Alejo, who noted both California legislative bodies are controlled by Democrats, which further disappointed the Salinas County assemblyman.
"It's also upsetting to see my fellow Democrats that control both houses in California being the ones to kill this bipartisan approach that had earned overwhelming support until now," added Alejo.
According to Alejo, the stalled bill is also surprising because A.B. 20 garnered heavy support on the Assembly floor and unanimously passed the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee.
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