Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Salinas, traveled to the nation’s capitol Monday and Tuesday to talk with lawmakers about the fate of immigration reform at the federal level.
The event he attended was titled “Americans for Reform: Immigration Reform for our Economy, Faith and Security.” It was sponsored by pro-reform groups such as the Partnership for a New American Economy, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and FWD.us – the pro-reform advocacy organization founded by Facebook’s co-founder Mark Zuckerberg.
“As a representative for San Benito County, I came here to Washington to do my small part to push for immigration reform,” Alejo said in a phone interview Tuesday while he was still in Washington.
He said he had met with Republican members of California’s congressional delegation – including Reps. Devin Nunes, R-Tulare; David Valadao, R-Hanford; Darrell Issa, R-Vista, and the chairman of the powerful Government Oversight Committee; and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield.
On Sunday, U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, became the first Republican member of the House to voice public support for immigration reform, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Alejo said the coalition was not like a traditional group that might normally tackle a subject such as immigration reform. He said business interests, corporations, farm interests and other stakeholders came together at the meeting to push for change.
“If we don’t do it this year, next year is an election year – which will make it harder,” he said.
He said the group was pushing Republicans – who control the House of Representatives – to put a bill on the floor that might have a chance of passing.
The Democratic-controlled Senate passed a comprehensive immigration reform package in June, with yea votes from both of California’s Democratic senators, Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein. The bill received bipartisan support, including from all 54 Democratic senators and 14 Republican senators. The Senate bill would allow a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants, as well as toughen border security and add reforms to the nation’s legal immigration system. The bill stalled in the Republican-controlled House where GOP leadership has said it has no plans to bring up immigration votes in 2013, according to national reports.
Alejo said out of all the states that could benefit from immigration reform, California had to rank near the top due to its immigration population and economy.
At the state level, Alejo sponsored Assembly Bill 60, which was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown earlier this month. The bill grants illegal immigrants the opportunity to apply for driver’s licenses in California. State Sen. Anthony Cannella, R-Ceres, also supported Alejo’s measure.
Alejo said he was joined by Salinas strawberry farmers who are members of the California Strawberry Commission who pushed for reform in person with lawmakers. He said he wanted to be a voice not just for immigrant groups but also for farmers and farmworkers. He said he hopes a bill would get to a vote by next month.
“This type of coalition could sway immigration reform,” he said.
