Legislators Call on CA Congressional GOP to Push for End of Immigration Crackdowns

More than 30 members of the California Legislature signed a letter this week, calling on members of the CA GOP Congressional delegation to urge President Trump to end the immigration crackdowns, as they are harming the state’s economy. 

The letter, which was sent to CA Congressional GOP members on Wednesday, noted that when the president launched the crackdowns, he said he intended “to target undocumented immigrants who had committed violent crimes or were members of violent gangs. But the recent raids on businesses in Los Angeles and California farms reveal that the crackdowns are ensnaring peaceful, hardworking immigrants who contribute substantially to California’s economy.”

The letter also notes that according to a new study, “federal policies focused on deportations could cost California an estimated $275 billion in GDP output in wages and ‘other direct and indirect economic activity.’ The study also concluded that based on direct wage contributions alone, undocumented workers generate nearly 5% of California’s GDP.”

And according to recent estimates, undocumented immigrants alone contribute $8.5 billion in taxes each year for California public services, many of which they cannot benefit from.

Currently, over 1 in 4 California residents are immigrants, totaling nearly 11 million people, including about 2 million who are undocumented. In addition, nearly three-quarters of undocumented Californians are estimated to have lived in this country for at least 10 years, and nearly a quarter are homeowners. 

“The vast majority of these folks contribute positively to California’s economy and way of life. They are not violent criminal gang members,” the letter notes.