By Gov. Jerry Brown has been very active in the last few weeks.
Over the weekend, Brown signed nearly a dozen pieces of immigration legislation into law.
“While Washington waffles on immigration, California’s forging ahead,” Brown said on his website. “I’m not waiting.”
Three bills signed by Brown will increase the rights of undocumented immigrants living in California.
Assembly Bill 1024 allows qualified applicants who are undocumented immigrants to become attorneys at law, according to Brown’s website.
Immigrants whose employers retaliate against them because of their citizenship status are protected under Senate Bill 666, according to Brown’s website.
U.S. citizens forced to move to another country because of one of their parent’s deportation will also be exempted from out-of-state or non-resident tuition under Senate Bill 141, according to the bill’s text.
We support Brown’s signing these three bills into law and applaud him for his commitment to the undocumented immigrant community.
Giving undocumented immigrants and U.S. citizens whose parents have been deported more privileges is a step in the right direction.
We like that AB 1024 allows all people living in California to become attorneys. After all, why should one’s citizenship status prevent that person from taking a test to become a lawyer?
If someone can pass the bar, that person is qualified to become a lawyer, regardless of their citizenship status.
With SB 666, we are happy to know that employers will not be allowed to retaliate against someone because of their citizenship status.
A dependable and hard-working employee should not be punished for his or her citizenship status.
SB 141 is also relevant as it prevents children whose parents have been deported from being treated unfairly.
U.S. citizens who were forced to live abroad due to difficult circumstances should not be penalized for their parent’s transgressions.
While some may criticize Brown for his views on immigration issues in the State, his signing of the bills reveals to us his commitment to providing full equality to all Californians.
Although the bills will greatly benefit some in California, it’s apparent that most undocumented immigrants won’t feel the full effects of the new laws.
To ensure that full equality is achieved, we hope Gov. Brown will continue to fight on behalf of all immigrants.
