State of California Archives: on Immigration


Kevin Mullin: Voted YES on driver's license for undocumented immigrants

Excerpts from Legislative Counsel's Digest:

Existing law requires the DMV to require an applicant for an original driver's license or ID card to submit satisfactory proof that the applicant's presence in the US is authorized under federal law.

This bill would require the department to issue an original driver's license to a person who is unable to submit satisfactory proof that the applicant's presence in the US is authorized under federal law if he or she meets all other qualifications for licensure and provides satisfactory proof to the department of his or her identity and California residency.

Status: Concurrence vote passed House, 55-21-2; State Rep. Kevin Mullin voted YES; passed Senate 28-8-3; approved by Gov.Brown 10/3/2013

OnTheIssues Explanation: Undocumented immigrants have no federal authorization; this bill allows them to get a state driver's license regardless of their lack of federal authorization.

Source: California legislative voting record for AB60 Sep 12, 2013

Adam Gray: Voted YES on driver's license for undocumented immigrants

Excerpts from Legislative Counsel's Digest:

Existing law requires the DMV to require an applicant for an original driver's license or ID card to submit satisfactory proof that the applicant's presence in the US is authorized under federal law.

This bill would require the department to issue an original driver's license to a person who is unable to submit satisfactory proof that the applicant's presence in the US is authorized under federal law if he or she meets all other qualifications for licensure and provides satisfactory proof to the department of his or her identity and California residency.

Status: Concurrence vote passed House, 55-21-2; State Rep. Adam Gray voted YES; passed Senate 28-8-3; approved by Gov.Brown 10/3/2013

OnTheIssues Explanation: Undocumented immigrants have no federal authorization; this bill allows them to get a state driver's license regardless of their lack of federal authorization.

Source: California legislative voting record for AB60 Sep 12, 2013

Alex Padilla: Battle over Prop. 187 led to involvement in politics

Padilla never thought about having anything to do with politics. "I learned quickly, both before the vote on 187 and especially after when it passed, that we had to engage and change that trajectory," remembers Padilla. On October 17, 1994, Padilla marched through the streets of Los Angeles with his family and tens of thousands of others. "I knew that regardless of what happened on election day, I needed to get involved to change the politics."
Source: KCET San Bernadino on 2022 California Senate race Oct 21, 2020

Alex Padilla: Voted YES on driver's license for undocumented immigrants

Excerpts from Legislative Counsel's Digest:

Status: Concurrence vote passed House, 55-21-2; passed Senate 28-8-3; State Sen. Alex Padilla voted YES; approved by Gov.Brown 10/3/2013

OnTheIssues Explanation:Undocumented immigrants have no federal authorization; this bill allows them to get a state driver's license regardless of their lack of federal authorization.

Source: California legislative voting record for AB60 Sep 12, 2013

Alex Padilla: Undocumented immigrants shouldn't have to fear deportation

Adult undocumented immigrants have been in the United States on average for 18 years, 18 years of working, paying taxes, buying homes, raising families, contributing to the success of our country. They deserve to live without fear of deportation. And so plan B, plan C, whatever it takes we`ll keep fighting until we get to yes and provide those protections and security for as many people as possible as quickly as possible.
Source: MSNBC: Rachel Maddow transcript on California Senate race Sep 20, 2021

Antonio Villaraigosa: Immigration reform is an economic and moral imperative

Q: The White House is planning a big push on immigration. Your thoughts?

VILLARAIGOSA: The time is now. We can't wait another political season to pass comprehensive immigration reform. This isn't just a moral, it's an economic imperative. If we bring these people, 11 million people from out of the dark and into the light, it's about a $1.5 trillion impact to the U.S. economy. The "dreamers" alone, a $329 billion impact. We can't do this piecemeal and we can't have second class citizenship. This has to be a pathway to full citizenship.

Q: Who are the first people that ought of get citizenship? You're talking about the kids in the DREAM Act?

VILLARAIGOSA: Obviously the people who become citizens first are the people who have been in line, after they've had a full background check, paid their back taxes. We've got to do this in a way that gives all of these people an opportunity to be full citizens of the United States of America.

Source: Face the Nation 2013 on 2014 California gubernatorial race Jan 13, 2013

Antonio Villaraigosa: Latino heritage is part of our American heritage

Antonio Villaraigosa, in the first major policy address since opening his gubernatorial bid and Donald Trump's victory, skewered the Republican president's tough approach to immigrants while expressing an abiding pride for his own Mexican heritage. "We are Americans first and foremost, but if anyone wants to make our Mexican heritage an issue, we will not shy from that. We embrace our Latino heritage as every bit a part of our American heritage," Villaraigosa said in the speech, rebuking Trump's rhetoric and policies toward Latinos and offering a potential rallying point for the state's largest ethnic group.

But at the gathering of the California Latino Economic Institute in Sacramento, the former Los Angeles mayor stressed that he's never run as "the Latino" candidate or served as a "Latino" elected official. He used the 23-minute speech to lay the groundwork for a candidacy focused on extending economic opportunity to every corner of the state.

Source: Sacramento Bee on 2018 California gubernatorial race Feb 1, 2017

Bill Jones: Oppose amnesty for undocumented immigrants

I will oppose amnesty for undocumented immigrants. Bush has sparked a needed debate on the issue of undocumented immigrants. It’s clear that our current programs are not working, and that more needs to be done to secure our borders. The current situation is intolerable: states like California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas take the brunt of the impacts and end up overburdening state and local resources to deal with a national problem.
Source: 2004 Senate campaign website JonesForCalifornia.com “Issues” May 2, 2004

Brian Dahle: Opposes sanctuary state status

Dahle said he and his opponent agree on much. They're both Republicans. They both oppose sanctuary state status.
Source: The Union (Nevada County) on 2022 California Governor race May 9, 2019

Brian Dahle: Voted NO on driver's license for undocumented immigrants

Excerpts from Legislative Counsel's Digest:

Status:Concurrence vote passed House, 55-21-2; passed Senate 28-8-3; approved by Gov.Brown 10/3/2013

OnTheIssues Explanation:˙Undocumented immigrants have no federal authorization; this bill allows them to get a state driver's license regardless of their lack of federal authorization.

Source: California legislative voting records: AB 60 Sep 12, 2013

Brian Dahle: Streamline path to citizenship, cooperate with ICE on crime

Our nation has immigration laws, and I do not believe we can simply ignore laws we don't like.

That said, we've had decades of a failed immigration system. I'm an advocate of streamlining the path to citizenship. One thing I would change as soon as possible in California are the disastrous policies that let violent criminals who are also in the country illegally back onto our streets to commit more crimes instead of turning them over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Source: San Diego Union-Tribune on 2022 California Governor race May 15, 2022

Caitlyn Jenner: I am pro-border protection & pro-ICE

Q: California has sanctuary cities. Would you eliminate sanctuary status?

JENNER: I would keep it a sanctuary state for small businesses.

Q: Meaning?

JENNER: Meaning, I want small businesses to come into this state. You know, I want people to create wealth here and to employ people, but as far as immigration, no, I am not on that. We need to spend some money to have a fair and equitable immigration system in this state.

Q: If you could, would you continue building the border wall?

JENNER: I am all for the wall. I would secure the wall. We can't have a state -- we can't have a country without a secure wall.

Q: Would you allow the state to work with ICE and enforce the laws?

JENNER: I would do my absolute best to do that. It's not going to be easy. I am for securing this state. I am pro-law enforcement; I am pro-border protection, OK? ICE, pro-ICE. We need these people, and they do a wonderful job.

Source: Fox News interview: 2021 California Governor recall race May 6, 2021

Caitlyn Jenner: Path to citizenship for undocumented; deport "bad ones"

Jenner told Bash that she supports "legal immigration" and that "the bad ones have to leave." But she also said she supports a path to citizenship for 1.75 million undocumented immigrants in the state's labor force, a position that is at odds with core Republican voters nationally.
Source: CNN Politics on 2021 California Governor recall race May 12, 2021

Connie Conway: Only English language in public schools

Legislative Outcome:AB 32 passed Senate 25-10-5 on 8/26/14; passed House 53-26-0 on 8/25/14;
Source: Ballotpedia.org on California ballot measure voting records Sep 28, 2014

Connie Conway: Voted NO on driver's license for undocumented immigrants

Legislative Counsel's Digest:Legislative Outcome:Concurrence vote passed House, 55-21-2; Conway voted NO; passed Senate 28-8-3; approved by Gov.Brown 10/3/2013

OnTheIssues Explanation:˙Undocumented immigrants have no federal authorization; this bill allows them to get a state driver's license regardless of their lack of federal authorization.

Source: California legislative voting records: AB 60 Sep 12, 2013

Delaine Eastin: Supports Dreamers against deportation

Eastin expressed strong support for the young people currently shielded from deportation under the DACA program. Eastin has called for enhanced protections of all immigrants and for Congress to immediately take action to protect young people known as Dreamers. "The President's decision to end DACA is devastating to some of our best and brightest young people," Eastin said in a statement.
Source: Los Angeles Times on 2018 California gubernatorial race Sep 5, 2017

Duf Sundheim: Path to legal status without executive action

He backs an immigration overhaul that includes a path to legal status for illegal immigrants but opposes Obama's executive action. Despite Sundheim's being pro-choice on abortion, favoring legal gay marriage and granting illegal immigrants a path to legal status, political analysts here say the GOP's national image is still likely to weigh him down in a race for federal office.
Source: Washington Examiner on 2016 California Senate race Jun 4, 2015

Gavin Newsom: Sanctuary cities build trust

Newsom supports San Francisco's status as a "sanctuary city" for undocumented immigrants, as long as they do not commit crimes. This has built trust that leads to more schooling, vaccinations and other services that these residents might have hesitated to seek, he said.
Source: Modesto Bee on 2018 California gubernatorial race Jul 26, 2017

Gavin Newsom: Border wall is just rhetoric; celebrate diversity

[Six gubernatorial candidates from two parties participated in one debate]: Some of the widest differences--particularly between the Democrats and Republicans--were on immigration. The Republicans supported Trump's plan to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and the Democrats opposed it. The Democrats supported California's sanctuary state laws and the Republicans promised to overturn them shortly after taking office.

Republican John Cox said "this border wall needs to be built. It's not about grandmothers being pulled out of their homes. I don't want to live next door to MS-13" gang members. [MS-13 is an international criminal gang that originated in Los Angeles in the 1980s, with many members from El Salvador].

"This is the kind of rhetoric that has no place" in the debate, Democrat Gavin Newsom said. In California, "we don't tolerate diversity, we celebrate it."

Source: San Francisco Chronicle on 2018 California governor race May 8, 2018

Gavin Newsom: There is no border crisis; the wall is just xenophobia

Let's start with the fear mongering about the so-called "emergency" at our border. The border "emergency" is a manufactured crisis and California will not be part of this political theater. A third of our Guard will focus on stopping criminals smuggling drugs and guns through existing border checkpoints. A wall that stretches thousands of miles will do nothing to stop this threat. This is our answer to the White House: No more division, no more xenophobia and no more nativism.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to California legislature Feb 12, 2019

Gavin Newsom: National Guard for crime on border, not immigration

Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to withdraw National Guard troops from the state's southern border with Mexico, in defiance of the Trump administration's request for support from border states. About 100 of the 360 troops will remain deployed under California's agreement with the federal government to focus specifically on combating transnational crime such as drug and gun smuggling. Specifically, they will be tasked with providing intelligence on transnational crime and assist with cargo dock operations and searches of commercial trucks for contraband.

Newsom's order will argue that the increase in Central American migrants crossing over the border is the result of a desire to escape violence and repression fueled in part by the activities of transnational crime organizations. The California guard's resources are best spent tackling those activities, he plans to argue.

Source: CBS News on 2018 California gubernatorial race Feb 11, 2019

Hilda Solis: Supports "Fast for Families" in favor of immigration reform

With the clock running out on immigration reform this year, a group of high-profile labor, faith and civic leaders from Los Angeles tried to bring urgency to the issue by joining a 24-hour fast, [part of] the national "Fast for Families" campaign taking place this month. He and others described the lack of immigration reform as a moral crisis that is leading to deportations and breaking up families.

Gomez was flanked by union leaders & politicians such as former Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis. Solis, the daughter of immigrants said that it was important to immediately help the immigrants "who help put food on the table."

"They clean our offices, they stay until midnight, work graveyard shifts and help this country be prosperous," Solis said. "We do need to fast and we do need to say that those hardened hearts in the Congress and in the Senate need to change."

Source: South Calif. Public Radio on 2014 California Governor race Nov 26, 2013

James Bradley: Opposes California's sanctuary state laws

Bradley is a self-described "America First, MAGA constitutionalist" who focused his Senate run campaigning against Obamacare and California's sanctuary state laws. Bradley also counts himself as a supporter of former GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher. "I'm not a professional politician, but we need more outsiders to have real solutions," said Bradley, a Coast Guard veteran.
Source: Orange County Register on 2022 California Senate race Feb 20, 2019

Jerry Brown: Supports state aid to illegals' children and DREAM Act

Going to college is a dream that promises intellectual excitement. The Dream Act benefits us by giving top students a chance to improve their lives. Under current law, undocumented students pay resident tuition rates if they have graduated from a California high school and affirmed that they are in the process of applying to legalize their immigration status. Effective January 1, 2013, AB 131 will make this limited pool of students eligible to apply for Cal Grants and other state aid.
Source: California 2011 gubernatorial press release #17268 Oct 8, 2011

Jerry Brown: Allow driver's license for undocumented immigrants

Excerpts from Legislative Counsel's Digest:Status:Concurrence vote passed House, 55-21-2; passed Senate 28-8-3; approved by Gov.Brown 10/3/2013

OnTheIssues Explanation: Undocumented immigrants have no federal authorization; this bill allows them to get a state driver's license regardless of their lack of federal authorization.

Source: California legislative voting records: AB 60 Oct 3, 2013

Jerry Brown: National Guard for crime on border, not immigration

Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to withdraw National Guard troops from the state's southern border with Mexico, in defiance of the Trump administration's request for support from border states.

The original mission, approved by former California Gov. Jerry Brown, was set to end March 31. The order Newsom plans will require the guard to immediately begin withdrawing troops but still give it until the end of March to do so. When Brown approved the mission, he said no California troops would participate in immigration-related activities. He similarly ordered the troops to focus on combating transnational crime.

"This will not be a mission to build a new wall," Brown wrote at the time in a letter to Trump administration officials. "It will not be a mission to round up women and children or detain people escaping violence and seeking a better life. And the California National Guard will not be enforcing federal immigration laws."

Source: CBS News on 2018 California gubernatorial race Feb 11, 2019

Jerry Brown: Allow non-English languages in public schools

Source: Ballotpedia.org on California ballot measure voting records Sep 28, 2014

Jimmy Gomez: Voted YES on driver's license for undocumented immigrants

Excerpts from Legislative Counsel's Digest:Status:Concurrence vote passed House, 55-21-2; passed Senate 28-8-3; approved by Gov.Brown 10/3/2013

OnTheIssues Explanation: Undocumented immigrants have no federal authorization; this bill allows them to get a state driver's license regardless of their lack of federal authorization.

Source: California legislative voting records: AB 60 Sep 12, 2013

John Chiang: Muslim immigration ban forsakes American values

John Chiang and more than two dozen Asian American and Pacific Islanders expressed their outrage to President Donald Trump, accusing the Republican of issuing a refugee and travel ban they say forsakes American core values

Chiang, a Democratic candidate for governor in 2018, said Trump's executive order banning travel for citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries is unconstitutional and "drips with cruel irony."

"As Americans, we have been taught to take pride in our diversity and our constitutional right to religious freedom. As Asian Pacific Islander Americans, we will not stand idly by as you attempt to pervert this nation's melting pot into a boiling cauldron of intolerance, hate, and division," Chiang and the others wrote in the pointed and personal letter. "We also know what it is like to be labeled 'other,' to become victims of state-sponsored racism, bigotry, and xenophobia."

Source: Sacramento Bee on 2018 California gubernatorial race Feb 1, 2017

John Chiang: Chinese Exclusion Act wrong then; Muslim exclusion wrong now

Last weekend, Chiang, the son of immigrants from Taiwan, was among the politicians to join the throngs of Californians clustered at airports around the state to voice their disapproval with Trump's executive order banning travel for citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries, which has been temporarily halted by judges.

Chiang called for cancellation of the order, recalling historical black marks touching California like the Chinese Exclusion Act and Japanese internment. "We wrongly believed these shameful ill-begotten episodes had been consigned to the junk pile of American history--and that the sins of our past, seared into our social memory, would forever inform and guide our better future," they wrote. "Yet, here we are. It is happening again--in 2017--leaving us shocked, angry, and forced to wear the shroud of indignity you have tossed so casually over the nation. Our Muslim brethren are being mistreated because of their faith, dress, and customs. This is un-American."

Source: Sacramento Bee on 2018 California gubernatorial race Feb 1, 2017

John Cox: Border wall needs to be built, to keep out MS-13

[Six gubernatorial candidates from two parties participated in one debate]: Some of the widest differences--particularly between the Democrats and Republicans--were on immigration. The Republicans supported Trump's plan to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and the Democrats opposed it. The Democrats supported California's sanctuary state laws and the Republicans promised to overturn them shortly after taking office.

Republican John Cox said "this border wall needs to be built. It's not about grandmothers being pulled out of their homes. I don't want to live next door to MS-13" gang members. [MS-13 is an international criminal gang that originated in Los Angeles in the 1980s, with many members from El Salvador].

"This is the kind of rhetoric that has no place" in the debate, Democrat Gavin Newsom said. In California, "we don't tolerate diversity, we celebrate it."

Source: San Francisco Chronicle on 2018 California governor race May 8, 2018

John Cox: Sanctuary State law puts our families at risk

I'm the only conservative in the race who both supports the 2nd Amendment and is endorsed by the California Pro-Life Council. On my first day in office, I'll put an end to the Sanctuary State law that shelters illegal felons, and puts all of our families at risk. Let's liberate California from the corrupting influence of special interest money, and reclaim the California Dream. I can't do this alone, but together, we can make California great again.
Source: IVP Network on 2018 California gubernatorial race Mar 20, 2018

Julia Brownley: In-state tuition OK for illegal immigrants

Q: Should illegal immigrants who graduate from California high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?

A: Yes. I believe the federal government needs a comprehensive and fair immigration policy.

Source: California Congressional 2010 Political Courage Test Oct 30, 2010

Kamala Harris: An undocumented immigrant is not a criminal

California's chief law officer, Attorney General Kamala Harris, declared this week, "an undocumented immigrant is not a criminal." Illegally entering and remaining in the country is a federal crime. However, many of these "undocumented immigrants" are not being prosecuted under the current administration.

Harris is implying in her words that these foreign nationals are not persistent criminals: "I'm a career prosecutor. I've personally prosecuted everything from low-level offenses to homicides. Unfortunately, I know what crime looks like. I know what a criminal looks like who's committing a crime. An undocumented immigrant is not a criminal."

Source: Breitbart.com coverage of 2015 California Senate race Apr 18, 2015

Kevin de Leon: Allow non-English languages in public schools

Source: Ballotpedia.org on California ballot measure voting records Sep 28, 2014

Kevin de Leon: States shouldn't enforce immigration laws

Kevin has led the fight against local law enforcement being commandeered to enforce federal immigration laws. He passed the California Values Act, prohibiting law enforcement agencies from investigating or arresting people for immigration enforcement purposes. He negotiated $30 million to assist the nearly 250,000 Dreamers in California with legal services and "safety net" funding if they become unable to work to support their education.
Source: 2018 California Senatorial website KevinDeLeon.com Oct 15, 2017

Kevin de Leon: Voted YES on driver's license for undocumented immigrants

Excerpts from Legislative Counsel's Digest:Status:Concurrence vote passed House, 55-21-2; passed Senate 28-8-3; approved by Gov.Brown 10/3/2013

OnTheIssues Explanation: Undocumented immigrants have no federal authorization; this bill allows them to get a state driver's license regardless of their lack of federal authorization.

Source: California legislative voting records: AB 60 Jul 2, 2013

Kevin de Leon: Abolish ICE at "Abolish Ice Cream Social"

De Le˘n's campaign has focused on the party's energized liberal faction. He supports single-payer healthcare, aggressive goals for renewable energy and helped lead the successful effort to raise the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour. He has criticized Feinstein, known for having moderate tendencies, for being too conciliatory toward Trump, such as when she urged people to have "patience" with the president last year.

On Friday night [at the Democratic State Convention which endorsed De Leon over his opponent Dianne Feinstein], De Le˘n hosted an "ABOLISH ICE CREAM SOCIAL" for delegates, a nod toward the Democratic-led effort to abolish the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency after its agents separated thousands of children from their parents after they crossed the border.

Source: Los Angeles Times on 2018 California Senate race Jul 14, 2018

Kevin Faulconer: DREAMers are living in only country they've ever known

Most #Dreamers are living in the only country they have ever known. They are our neighbors, small business owners, students and veterans. They need our support. The time is now for Congress to act. #IStandWithDreamers #DACA
Source: Twitter posting on 2021 California recall race Jan 18, 2018

Loretta Sanchez: Refugees are not the enemy, today nor in our history

One Republican Senate candidate, Tom Del Beccaro, was comfortable with blocking Syrian refugees. "The wise thing would be to upgrade our ability and our intel and if we are satisfied, if we are able to vet people, we could look to resuming it," he said.

Democrat Loretta Sanchez voted against the House refugee measure in Congress. In brief remarks before the vote, she indicated she was influenced by the history of her California district, heavy with refugees from Vietnam and neighboring countries. In an echo of today's circumstances, their arrival more than a generation ago was opposed by some. "We are ready to help resettle these refugees," she said, noting that most are women, children and the elderly. "Refugees are not the enemy. Remember the words on the Statue of Liberty: Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."

Source: LA Times, "Syrian Refugees?" on 2016 California Senate race Nov 22, 2015

Lou Correa: Allow non-English languages in public schools

Source: Ballotpedia.org on California ballot measure voting records Sep 28, 2014

Mark DeSaulnier: Voted YES on driver's license for undocumented immigrants

Excerpts from Legislative Counsel's Digest:Status:Concurrence vote passed House, 55-21-2; passed Senate 28-8-3; approved by Gov.Brown 10/3/2013

OnTheIssues Explanation: Undocumented immigrants have no federal authorization; this bill allows them to get a state driver's license regardless of their lack of federal authorization.

Source: California legislative voting records: AB 60 Jul 2, 2013

Mark DeSaulnier: Allow non-English languages in public schools

Source: Ballotpedia.org on California ballot measure voting records Sep 28, 2014

Mark Meuser: Don't defund the border patrol

Crime - people do not feel safe and what I can do about it when I am elected to U.S. Senate. (Hint the answer is not to defund the police or border patrol as my opposition wants to do).
Source: 2022 California Senate campaign website MarkMeuser.com Jun 12, 2022

Mark Meuser: Strengthen law enforcement's ability to protect the border

Biden's refusal to enforce existing immigration laws has caused the crisis on our southern border. The crisis hits our communities every day by increasing the supply of deadly drugs and enabling human traffickers to take advantage of the most vulnerable - our children. Congress needs to rein in the power of the President, ensuring that he will enforce the law and to provide the necessary resources strengthening law enforcement's ability to protect the border.
Source: 2022 California Senate campaign website MarkMeuser.com Sep 18, 2022

Michael Eisen: Differentiate dangerous immigrants from those who integrate

Q: Do you have a platform?

Eisen: My goal here is not a narrow defense of science. I am not about "Get more funding for science!" Rather, it is about a worldview--a way of approaching problem-solving and thinking about challenges. People do it every day in their real lives, but yet for some reason it has ceased to drive our political decision-making. For instance: How can we best grow food that is good for us, and how should agriculture be structured? What kinds of immigrants integrate well and who is dangerous? There are answers to these questions, based on data and analysis. I have a hypothesis: Having more scientists involved in politics and the public sphere would improve the way we make decisions, the way we characterize our world and how we figure out what we do about it. I felt it was necessary to test that hypothesis.

Source: Mercury News on 2018 California Senate race Feb 3, 2017

Mimi Walters: Border security is broken; but we need guest workers

America's immigration and border security systems are broken. America needs a clear and enforceable policy that begins with secure borders, treats all in a humane and fair manner and doesn't reward those who break our laws. We also need a guest worker system, especially for our farms and agricultural industries.
Source: 2014 California House campaign website, MimiWalters.com Oct 10, 2014

Mimi Walters: Voted NO on driver's license for undocumented immigrants

Excerpts from Legislative Counsel's Digest:Status:Concurrence vote passed House, 55-21-2; passed Senate 28-8-3; approved by Gov.Brown 10/3/2013

OnTheIssues Explanation: Undocumented immigrants have no federal authorization; this bill allows them to get a state driver's license regardless of their lack of federal authorization.

Source: California legislative voting records: AB 60 Sep 12, 2013

Mimi Walters: Only English language in public schools

Source: Ballotpedia.org on California ballot measure voting records Sep 28, 2014

Neel Kashkari: Sensible immigration reform needed, but not open borders

Kashkari thinks smart, sensible immigration reform is needed desperately. Kashkari himself is the child of immigrants, and sees the value of immigrants in the country, but says we can't have open borders. Kashkari also called out Gov. Jerry Brown for remaining silent on the issue of migrant children flooding through the borders. "This is one of a number of issues that he is hiding under his desk. Anything to avoid stepping into any controversy," he said.
Source: KFBK News Radio on 2014 California gubernatorial race Jul 10, 2014

Neel Kashkari: Expand visa programs for highly skilled workers

Revamping immigration policy for highly skilled workers: Business leaders have called for years for an overhaul of immigration policy for such workers--especially for those with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering and math. Many politicians agree that U.S. universities attract the best students globally, yet our flawed policies force these bright people to leave after graduation. Encouraging the best students to stay, to build new companies and to contribute to industry, will aid our economic growth, increase our competitiveness and improve our long-term fiscal situation. Lawmakers should put politics aside, expand visa programs for highly skilled workers and provide a pathway toward citizenship for foreign-born students who earn advanced technical degrees in America.
Source: Kashkari Washington Post OpEd: 2014 California governor race Jun 1, 2012

Norma Torres: Voted YES on driver's license for undocumented immigrants

Excerpts from Legislative Counsel's Digest:Status:Concurrence vote passed House, 55-21-2; passed Senate 28-8-3; approved by Gov.Brown 10/3/2013

OnTheIssues Explanation: Undocumented immigrants have no federal authorization; this bill allows them to get a state driver's license regardless of their lack of federal authorization.

Source: California legislative voting records: AB 60 Sep 12, 2013

Norma Torres: Allow non-English languages in public schools

Source: Ballotpedia.org on California ballot measure voting records Sep 28, 2014

Pete Aguilar: We need comprehensive immigration reform

Eleven million people live in the shadows of our society. Unfortunately, our immigration system is broken, failing to bring these immigrants out of the shadows and fully integrate them into our economy.

We need comprehensive immigration reform that makes sense for workers, businesses and families, including a path to citizenship for those who play by the rules and live up to American ideals. This will strengthen our economy and expand our tax base. Notably, the Congressional Budget Office reports that passing immigration reform would cut the federal deficit by $200 billion over the next 10 years.

Source: 2014 California House campaign website, PeteAguilar.com Nov 7, 2014

Ro Khanna: Give DREAMers a pathway to citizenship

I was lucky enough to be born here in the United States, so citizenship was never something I worried about. But I can empathize with how it must feel to be an American in spirit--but to not be a citizen based on birthplace. We have an economic and moral obligation to give DREAMers a pathway to citizenship.

Immigration reform and economic growth go hand in hand. Immigrants have been essential to Silicon Valley's innovative and meritocratic ethos. They have founded 40% of the companies in the tech sector that were financed by venture capital and then went public in the United States--including Yahoo, eBay, Intel, and Google--creating jobs and making our business culture more dynamic. To continue as the world's incubator for innovation, we need to encourage the most talented and motivated people to locate here in Silicon Valley.

Source: 2016 California House campaign website RoKhanna.com Nov 8, 2016

Rob Bonta: Voted YES on driver's license for undocumented immigrants

Legislative Counsel's Digest:

Status:Concurrence vote passed House, 55-21-2; Rep. Rob Bonta voted YES; passed Senate 28-8-3; approved by Gov.Brown 10/3/2013

OnTheIssues Explanation:Undocumented immigrants have no federal authorization; this bill allows them to get a state driver's license regardless of their lack of federal authorization.

Source: California legislative voting records AB60 Sep 12, 2013

Rocky Chavez: We are home for the tired and oppressed, even Syrians

Accept Syrian refugees? The desire for a middle ground was evident in interviews with some candidates for the 2016 Senate contest. Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris said she opposed the GOP measure because it set up an "untenable" system: She said, "There is a drum beating, that the way to keep us safe is to keep outsiders out. That scares me." But, she added, "there's no question that we have to be vigilant."

Republican Rocky Chavez sounded remarkably like her. "One, security is important, but two, we need to understand we are a country that has always been a home for those who are hungry and tired and oppressed," said Chavez. He recalled the internment in the 1940s of Japanese Americans who posed no threat, and of America's earlier reluctance to accept Jews escaping Nazi Germany. "That didn't set well in history," he said, adding that "a measured approach is often the best approach. We should not take counsel from our fears and we should not take positions that go against our values."

Source: LA Times, "Syrian Refugees?" on 2016 California Senate race Nov 22, 2015

Rocky Chavez: Voted NO on driver's license for undocumented immigrants

Excerpts from Legislative Counsel's Digest:Status:Concurrence vote passed House, 55-21-2; passed Senate 28-8-3; approved by Gov.Brown 10/3/2013

OnTheIssues Explanation: Undocumented immigrants have no federal authorization; this bill allows them to get a state driver's license regardless of their lack of federal authorization.

Source: California legislative voting records: AB 60 Sep 12, 2013

Rocky Chavez: Only English language in public schools

Source: Ballotpedia.org on California ballot measure voting records Sep 28, 2014

Steve Knight: Protect the border and prevent illegal entry

Q: Government should enforce laws designed to protect the border and to prevent illegal entry of persons into the country?

Knight: Agree

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 California House race Sep 30, 2014

Steve Knight: Voted NO on driver's license for undocumented immigrants

Excerpts from Legislative Counsel's Digest:Status:Concurrence vote passed House, 55-21-2; passed Senate 28-8-3; approved by Gov.Brown 10/3/2013

OnTheIssues Explanation: Undocumented immigrants have no federal authorization; this bill allows them to get a state driver's license regardless of their lack of federal authorization.

Source: California legislative voting records: AB 60 Sep 12, 2013

Steve Knight: Only English language in public schools

Source: Ballotpedia.org on California ballot measure voting records Sep 28, 2014

Ted Lieu: Voted YES on driver's license for undocumented immigrants

Excerpts from Legislative Counsel's Digest:Status:Concurrence vote passed House, 55-21-2; passed Senate 28-8-3; approved by Gov.Brown 10/3/2013

OnTheIssues Explanation: Undocumented immigrants have no federal authorization; this bill allows them to get a state driver's license regardless of their lack of federal authorization.

Source: California legislative voting records: AB 60 Sep 12, 2013

Ted Lieu: Allow non-English languages in public schools

Source: Ballotpedia.org on California ballot measure voting records Sep 28, 2014

Tom Del Beccaro: Expose crime and danger at the US-Mexico border

Del Beccaro is urging congressional Republicans to convene a Southwestern summit to "expose the real crime and danger" at the U.S.-Mexico border and work with allies and adversaries on an immigration deal. And he said he disagrees with a recent comments by [his Democratic opponent Kamala] Harris that "an undocumented immigrant is not a criminal."

"If you break the law, that means you've broken the law," Del Beccaro said, taking issue with the question about Harris.

"My focus is more about how to bring people to the table," he added. "I am not running so I can say, `Some people are wrong and some people are right.' I am going to be very specific in this campaign about solutions as opposed to just politics and yelling back and forth."

Source: Sacramento Bee on 2016 California Senate race Apr 16, 2015

Tom Steyer: Allow non-English languages in public schools

Source: Ballotpedia.org on California ballot measure voting records Jul 2, 2019

Travis Allen: Sanctuary cities protect criminals

The majority of Californians from every ethnic group and political party clearly understand sanctuary policies for what they are: SAFE SPACES FOR CRIMINAL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
Source: 2018 California Gubernatorial website JoinTravisAllen.com Sep 1, 2017

Travis Allen: Only English language in public schools

Source: Ballotpedia.org on California ballot measure voting records Sep 28, 2014

Xavier Becerra: Support DACA, oppose Muslim ban and family separation