CHIRLA is the largest immigrant rights organization in California and has been an active advocate for immigrant integration legislation for many years.

"The contributions of immigrant workers and families to our state, just speaking dollars and cents, is significant.   It is important that California continues to invest handsomely towards immigrant integration," said Angelica Salas, CHIRLA Executive Director.

For the purpose of educating lawmakers in Sacramento about the needs and priorities of immigrant families, CHIRLA holds an annual action day which this year also happens on the same day it officially opens an office in  Sacramento.   Members of the community plan to travel in buses and vans from Southern and Central California to hold a press conference and legislative visits.

"Immigrant families will be focusing on four priority areas on this Day of Action," said Joseph Villela, Director of Policy at CHIRLA.  "SB54, the California Values Act, is an important bill  for California and for our community.   We will ask the state to protect funding to make low-cost immigration services more accessible to immigrant families throughout the states.   We will press for more anti-notario fraud bills and we will call on the state legislature to strengthen protections for day laborers."

CHIRLA's complete policy agenda for 2016-2017 includes priority areas and specific pro-immigrant, legislation focusing on immigrant integration, health care, criminal justice, consumer protections, and access to education.   For a detailed list of legislation and priority areas, please see here:  http://www.chirla.org/sites/default/files/CHIRLAs-Legislative-Platform-2017.pdf