As Immigration Enforcement Escalates, We Call for State Fiscal Policies That Protect Immigrant Communities

Californians for Prosperity and Affordability, an initiative of the California Community Foundation, unites civic, labor, nonprofit, business, and philanthropic leaders from across the state in support of state policies that protect essential services—such as healthcare and food assistance—for all Californians, regardless of immigration status.

In the wake of escalating enforcement actions against undocumented communities in Los Angeles and beyond,  we stand united in our call for a state budget that protects our people and our values. The well-being and safety of undocumented immigrants is under growing threat, so it is more critical than ever to ensure stability and certainty across our state. We appreciate the commitment state leaders have shown to undocumented communities in the face of mounting attacks. The current climate of fear and chaos makes it more urgent than ever to fully protect essential services for undocumented immigrants.

California voters understand the role undocumented immigrants play in our communities and consistently support healthcare and food assistance for all with need, regardless of immigration status. 59% of voters support essential services for all low-income Californians regardless of immigration status, 63% support healthcare access for undocumented immigrants and 57% support Medi-Cal access for all—even if it risks federal funding.

Undocumented Californians power the state’s economy – feeding our families, building our homes, and caring for our most vulnerable. Three-quarters of California's farmworkers are undocumented Californians. Nearly one-fifth of California’s construction workforce and significant percentages of California’s caregivers and child care providers are also undocumented immigrants. 

Undocumented Californians pay their fair share of taxes - nearly $9 billion a year - and contribute $151 billion to California’s economy. They are critical members of the state’s working class and have earned access to essential services. 

Unwinding California’s historic Medi-Cal expansion will also have far-reaching impacts for all of our communities, resulting in the closure of health clinics and reduced access to vital health services for everyone.

As Californians, we know that we all thrive when our undocumented communities thrive. The situation in our communities is urgent. We must advance fiscal policy that protects our progress, our California values, and our California communities.

Signees: 

AltaMed

Black Alliance for Just Immigration

Building Skills Partnership

California Community Foundation

California Health Care Foundation

California Immigrant Policy Center

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA)

College Futures

Dr. Bronner’s Family Foundation

End Child Poverty CA

Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund

First 5 Los Angeles (F4LA)

Grove Foundation

Health Access California

L.A. Care Health Plan

LA County Federation of Labor

Latino Community Foundation

Liberty Hill Foundation

Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

Nourish California

Orange County Grantmakers

Pa’lante Collaborative Strategies

Rosenberg Foundation

San Francisco Foundation

SEIU United Service Workers West

St. John’s Community Health

The California Endowment

The California Pan-Ethnic Health Network (CPEHN)

The California Wellness Foundation

The Center at Sierra Health Foundation

The Children’s Partnership

The James Irvine Foundation

Trans Latin@ Coalition

UNITE-LA

Weingart Foundation

Western Center on Law and Poverty