Schwarzenegger Gets Failing Grade On Immigrant Issues

by Cristine Lacerna

(GIN) SACRAMENTO -- The California Immigrant Welfare Collaborative (CIWC) -- a nonprofit umbrella group for immigrant advocacy organizations -- held a Oct. 1 press conference to make its assessment on Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's handling of immigrant issues during his first year. Its verdict: a failing grade.

According to the report card issued by the CIWC, the governor vetoed all but two of the 13 pieces of legislation affecting immigrants' rights that were submitted to him. "That is only 15 percent. That is a grade of 'F' for any California student," said Reshma Shamasunder, director of the CIWC. She saw the governor's record as telling of his "lack of commitment" to the rights and welfare of the immigrants in California.

Immigrant rights leaders from groups such as Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE and Latino Coalition for a Healthy California (LCHC) came to the conference to speak on key legislative issues vetoed by the governor.

Among the rejected bills were proposals to prevent hospitals from overcharging the uninsured (SB 379) and to ensure the hiring of bilingual staff in state and local agencies to make their services accessible to non-English speaker populations (AB 2408).

The recently vetoed AB 2895, the bill that would have authorized issuance of driver's licenses to illegal immigrants in California, was also highlighted during the brief conference.

Patricia Diaz of the LCHC stated that in his rejection of these bills, the governor failed to show understanding of the immigrant community and its issues. "The governor, more than anyone else, should know what it is like to be an immigrant. Instead, he turned his back to our community and to our people," Shamasunder added.

The message intended by CIWC during the conference was loud and clear: the governor did not make the grade on immigrant issues this year. When asked if the CIWC anticipates a response from the governor, Shamasunder did not express high hopes. "The governor was never directly responsive with our issues. But we are hoping that he will think of these issues and consider these legislations for next year."

She further urged the governor to "hit the books, learn about our community We cannot afford you to fail again."