In CA, we understand that our immigrant community is vital to our economy and essential services. Over 20,000 indigenous Mexicans live in Ventura County alone, and of these, 17,000 work in agriculture, doing the backbreaking labor that puts food on our tables and keeps our local agricultural economy strong.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, these farmworkers were logically classified as essential workers by Gov. Newsom because FOOD!!!, but could not access timely and reliable information in their language to access vaccines in California and suffered disproportionately higher death rates as a result. (44.5% of cases and 42.1% of deaths in California). And even if information were available, fear of consequences due to their immigration status kept many from accessing life-saving vaccines and treatment they needed.
There are two bills that would BEGIN the process of fixing this inhumane situation.
- SB 435 (Gonzalez) – the Latinx and Indigenous Disparities Reduction Act would require departments who already collect data for most other California communities to do so for these groups as well and head off a tragic repeat of health and related inequities. This bill has passed the legislature with overwhelming support in both the Assembly and Senate! The bills now heads to the Governor’s desk for a final signature!
- Social Media Toolkit: Use this toolkit to ask Governor Newsom to sign SB 435 across social media! (English, Spanish)
- Read and share our updated SB 435 Community Fact Sheet (English, Spanish)
- Senate Bill 831–California Agricultural Worker Permanent Residency Program – This bill authorizes the Governor to work with the Federal Government to establish a pilot program that allows agricultural workers to gain a pathway to Permanent Residency Status.
UPDATED: Action #1: Tell Governor Newsom to sign SB 435 and get ready to sign SB 831!
Governor Newsom: PLEASE support data and health equity for Latinxs and Indigenous Mesoamericans and sign SB 435 (Gonzalez) – the Latinx and Indigenous Disparities Reduction Act. AND SB 831 California Agricultural Worker Permanent Residency Program reaches your desk this session, as the essential labor that immigrant farmworkers supply to our residents and our economy must be finally recognized with a pathway to the safe harbor of permanent residency.
- Call: 916) 445-2841
- Email: Leg.unit@gov.ca.gov and https://govapps.gov.ca.gov/gov40mail/
COMPLETE: Action #2: Tell your legislators that it’s time to stop this ridiculous and cruel treatment of essential workers. This bill passed and is heading to the governor!
The Assembly is voting on this today, and it then goes back to the Senate to reconcile, as required.
Minimal email/call script for your assemblymember/state senator : I’m calling from [zip code] and I want Assembymember/Sen. [___] to support the Senate Bill 831–California Agricultural Worker Permanent Residency Program bill.
Contacts
- State Senator Monique Limón (SD-19): email, SAC (916) 651-4019, SB (805) 965-0862, OX (805)988-1940
- State Senator Henry Stern (SD-27): email, SAC (916) 651-2027, Calabasas (818) 876-3352
- State Assemblymember Steve Bennett: (CA-38): email, SAC (916) 319-2038, VTA (805) 485-4745
- State Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin: (CA-42): email, SAC (916) 319-2042, TO ((805) 370-0542
- Not your people? Which assemblymember/state senator is mine?: findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov.
INDIVISIBLE VENTURA 