Now is the time for California to invest in equity and racial justice. We must prioritize the full inclusion of our immigrant friends, family, and neighbors. We all deserve access to basic needs like nutritious food. We all deserve comprehensive and holistic health care coverage. We all deserve access to wage replacement programs.

Only then will there be a #California4All. This is the California way. 

About

As we enter into our third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen the heaviest health and economic burdens continue to fall on low-wage immigrant, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities. The immigrant community especially has been hit hardest as federal and state laws also categorically exclude undocumented immigrants from accessing unemployment benefits, food, and comprehensive health care. 

These categorical exclusions of undocumented immigrants from state safety net programs have widened and exacerbated California’s racial and economic inequalities. 

While we wait on the federal government to provide legalization and citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants that live in the U.S. – of whom 2.7 million reside in California – we must ensure that the state is prioritizing the well-being of our most marginalized communities, continuing to look critically at structural exclusions, and honoring the role and contributions of immigrant Californians—our neighbors, colleagues, family and friends. This will also help California build a more resilient economy. 

The California Immigrant Equity Budget (IEB) would allocate $2.5 billion in investments to support immigrant Californians by:

• Investing in immigrant workers who have been historically excluded from unemployment benefits ($690 Million) (AB 2847 – E. Garcia);
• Providing comprehensive health care access to all income-eligible Californians through full-scope Medi-Cal ($1.3 Billion)(AB 4 – Arambula/SB 56 – Durazo); 
• Ensuring that every household can put food on the table by making CalFresh available to all income-eligible Californians ($548 Million)(SB 464 – Hurtado)

California has the resources to effect these changes. According to the Governor’s January proposed budget, our state government is operating with a $45.7 billion surplus this year (with a projected additional $15 billion) – made possible by tax revenues from the wealthy who have flourished during the pandemic, often at the expense of low-income workers. 

Now is the time for California to invest in equity and racial justice. The IEB lifts up the full inclusion of our immigrant friends, family, and neighbors. We all deserve access to basic needs like nutritious food. We all deserve comprehensive and holistic health care coverage. We all deserve access to wage replacement programs.

Take Action

The California Immigrant Equity Budget is supported by nearly 150 leading health, economic justice, civil rights, social justice, and community-based organizations. Will you join us in showing elected leaders that change cannot wait? Join CIPC and sign on to our community letter outlining the need to push for a #California4All. Learn more about the Immigrant Equity Budget in this Fact Sheet. 

Share Your Story

Would you stand to benefit from the Immigrant Equity Budget? Know anyone who will? Share your story here.