BILL ANALYSIS
SB 1
Page 1
Date of Hearing: June 26, 2007
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS
Mike Eng, Chair
SB 1 (Cedillo) - As Amended: March 7, 2007
SENATE VOTE : 25-14
SUBJECT : Office of Immigrant Affairs.
SUMMARY : Establishes the Office of Immigrant Affairs (Office)
within the Department of Community Services and Development
(DCS) with the purpose of ensuring the integration and civic
participation of new citizens in the state. Specifically, this
bill :
1)Establishes the Office within DCS.
2)Requires the Office to:
a) Coordinate with city and county government agencies to
ensure that new citizens and eligible immigrants obtain
information about the naturalization process and help them
access translated information on resources available in the
state.
b) Post a resources list and a list of referrals on adult
education, English literacy, civic education, citizenship
services, consumer protection, housing, and domestic
violence services in California.
c) Partner with state government agencies such as, but not
limited to, the State Board of Education, the Refugee
Program Bureau within the State Department of Social
Services, and the Office of Immigrant Assistance within the
Department of Justice, to:
i) Make known the needs of immigrant communities by
setting objectives and deliverables and to coordinate and
streamline efforts and existing services provided to
California's immigrant communities by various state
agencies;
ii)Identify existing, and advocate for, culturally and
linguistically competent resources and programs that can
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be used by immigrant residents to assist their
integration;
iii)Ensure proper outreach and response to the immigrant
community about state government's programs and
resources; and,
iv)Coordinate, assist and cooperate with the efforts to
serve the needs of immigrants, especially in the areas of
culture, education, employment, health, housing, welfare
and recreation.
d) Conduct data-driven policy analysis on issues impacting
immigrant communities, and make policy recommendations to
the Legislature and Governor on state and federal level
policy impacting California's immigrants.
e) Develop strategies and program proposals and identify
services that support the ability of new citizens to be
economically self-sufficient, participate in governance,
and foster a sense of belonging and responsibility to the
community.
f) Disseminate information and provide referrals to
existing English as a second language (ESL) classes.
g) Work with educational institutions, community-based
organizations, nonprofits, and private programs to collect
and disseminate multilingual civic curriculum for people
participating in the Naturalization Services Program.
3)Provides that the Office shall employ a director, appointed by
the Director of DCS, who shall perform the following duties:
a) Administer the Naturalization Services Program and
develop a plan to add components to the program so that it
will better cater to the needs of California's immigrant
population;
b) Work with local organizations to ensure the success and
availability of services provided by the Naturalization
Services Program; and,
c) Oversee all functions of the Office of Immigrant
Affairs.
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4)Provides that the Office may enter into partnerships,
cooperative agreements, or contracts with nonprofit
organizations to serve as a liaison between the Office and
immigrant communities. Nonprofit organizations that act as
liaisons may be reimbursed by the Office for expenses, but
reimbursement is contingent on approval by the director of the
Office, and availability of funding from the Office's existing
budget.
5)Provides that a "liaison" shall do the following:
a) Conduct stakeholder meetings to identify the needs of
immigrants in California and report findings to the Office;
b) Gather information about the needs of California's
immigrant population, determine key state governmental
resources used by immigrant communities, identify key
policy areas and areas of concern, and report findings with
recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor;
c) Identify ways to define and measure immigrant
integration and self-reliance and report progress in these
areas to the Legislature and the Governor; and,
d) Work to identify ways to improve the naturalization
process and immigration services.
6)Provides that the Office may seek input from other nonprofit
organizations, state agencies, cities, counties, or other
entities to carry out the functions of the Office.
7)Provides that the Office may accept donations from individuals
and private organizations.
8)Requires the Office, starting on May 1, 2009 and every
odd-numbered year afterwards, to submit a state plan to the
Legislature detailing its goals and the results from its
efforts, and provides that the appropriate Senate and Assembly
committees conduct at least one public hearing on each
submitted plan.
9)Makes findings and declarations regarding the positive impact
immigrants have had on California's economy, indicating the
number of immigrants in the state, and declaring the need for
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the Office.
EXISTING LAW establishes DCS to implement various community
programs throughout the state. Existing law also appropriates
$3 million to DCS in order to implement a Naturalization
Services Program, which assists legal permanent residents in
obtaining citizenship.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown. According to the Senate
Appropriations Committee, this bill would cost the General Fund
$300,000 in 2007-08, $600,000 in 2008-09 and $600,000 in
2009-2010.
COMMENTS :
Purpose of this bill: According to the author, there are
currently 2.7 million immigrants in California that are eligible
to naturalize and several million more that will soon be
eligible. The author notes that there are at least 85 cities
in California where non-citizen adults comprise more than 25% of
the city's total voting age population and 30 cities where
non-citizen adults make up more than 40% of the voting-age
population. The author asserts that "citizenship and civic
participation among all California residents is vital to the
economic and societal well being of the state" and that "given
these statistics, California's governance structure lacks an
office responsible for helping California's immigrant
population integrate into society, develop a sense of belonging,
and seize opportunities for success in order to ensure equal
opportunity for a high quality of life." The author argues that
creation of the Office envisioned by this bill "is in the best
interest of the State of California and its citizens."
The author notes that other states have formed entities similar
to the one proposed by this bill: Illinois has created the New
Americans Immigrant Policy Council, Utah has an Office of Ethnic
Affairs, and Kansas has established a Hispanic and Latino
Affairs Commission.
Support: The California Immigrant Policy Center supports this
bill arguing that "as home to the largest immigrant population
in the country, it is critical for California to show leadership
in implementing model policies for integrating newcomers into
our state. California, like the United States, depends upon
immigrants to drive economic growth. Access to citizenship
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services, support programs, and civic participation
opportunities are key components of success fully integrating
immigrant families into our state's social, political, and civic
fabric. All Californians benefit when our diverse communities
are healthy and strong."
Previous legislation: This bill is substantially similar to SB
1267 (Cedillo) of 2006. SB 1267 was held in the Assembly
Appropriations Committee.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
American Federation of State County Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality
Asian Law Alliance
Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California
California Catholic Conference
California Church Impact
California Immigrant Policy Center
California Landscape Contractors Association
California Partnership
California Teachers Association
Chinese for Affirmative Action
City and County of San Francisco Immigrant Rights Commission
City of Los Angeles
Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles
Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organizations, Inc.
Community Resource Project, Inc.
Filipino-American Service Group, Inc.
General Teamsters, Warehousemen and Helpers Union, Local No. 890
Jericho
Lambda Letters Project
Latino Coalition for a Healthy California
Los Amigos of Orange County
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
Self-Help for the Elderly
Worksite Wellness LA
Opposition
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None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Rebecca May / B. & P. / (916) 319-3301