Immigration

As the most diverse state in the nation, California’s vibrant diversity reflects the foundation of America’s strength. It emphasizes the fundamental principles of inclusion and national unity that respect the rules of law and human dignity.  California Democrats believe that the American immigration system should be inclusive, fair, and just. Immigration must be consistent with American values of freedom, opportunity, compassion, and respect for human rights.

As a state built upon the successes of immigrants, California Democrats will:

• Affirm that we can make America stronger at our borders and uphold our values by honoring the tradition of providing a safe place for immigrants seeking a life of freedom and opportunity;
• Ensure that the fundamental rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution are applied to every person within U.S. borders;
• Support efforts to safeguard America’s security while respecting the principles of the American Dream;
• Support comprehensive, bipartisan immigration reform that addresses fairness, family reunification, and a path to legal residency for undocumented immigrants in our communities;
• Encourage increased and expedited processing of applications for family reunification and naturalization while supporting reasonable and fair application fees;
• Support efforts providing undocumented immigrants with a transitional path to legalized residency and earned citizenship, including methods to pay back taxes, learn English, register with the federal government for work permits, and acquire driver licenses and insurance coverage;
• Support efforts to provide assistance in English learning and educational opportunities for cultural immersion.
• Support efforts that maximize educational opportunities for all immigrant students, including access to public education and financial assistance as an investment for our common future;
• Affirm efforts to provide equal access to housing to all immigrants and condemn any xenophobic or rascist conduct that denies equal housing to all, including a landlord’s inquiry into the citizenship or immigration status of a tenant or a prospective tenant;
• Support efforts to provide healthcare and access to insurance for all immigrants to ensure the well-being of our communities;
• Support efforts to promote available government services to immigrant communities;
• Support outreach efforts that promote civic engagement and participation in the political process among naturalized citizens, such as voter registration and voter education, and support effective legal safeguards and protections for access to voting and voting materials in letters, spirit, and practice;
• Oppose scapegoating, racial profiling, bigotry, vigilantism, and any xenophobic conduct that polarize communities and denounce actions, by government or otherwise, that keep undocumented immigrants in the shadows of our society;
• Ensure intervention for abuse, discrimination, and crime among or against immigrants and removing the fear of arrest and deportation for reporting such abuse;
• Encourage the cooperation of local law enforcement with immigrant communities in the interest of public safety for all; and
• Denounce the use of local law enforcement agencies as federal immigration law enforcement.