(Sacramento) – Today, Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) presented her first legislative measure, House Resolution (HR) 69, on the Assembly Floor. As the only member of the state legislature of Salvadoran background it is a personal issue she is uniquely qualified to lead on. The resolution urges the President to reverse his decision to terminate the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation of Salvadorans and to work with Congress to find a path to legal status for these valuable members of our community. HR 69 was adopted on a bipartisan vote.
“Less than 10 days ago, I co-led a Legislative Delegation mission to El Salvador with the Speaker and my Assembly colleagues Joaquin Arambula and Mike Gipson,” said Assemblymember Carrillo. “We met with Salvadoran dignitaries and witnessed a country facing substantial challenges but also full of hope. The Federal Administration’s decision to terminate TPS for Salvadorans in the U.S. was not based on thoughtful or justifiable rationale regarding El Salvador’s condition. In light of the President’s misguided steps, HR 69 bolsters our belief in meaningful, thoughtful diplomatic relationships, as well as California’s support and solidarity for our Salvadoran brothers’ and sisters’ fight for permanent residency.”
An estimated 200,000 Salvadorans protected by TPS found refuge in the United States, and 49,000 found a home in California. They are a key part of the workforce, with labor participation rates of 88%, and of our communities, with over 190,000 U.S.-born children living here. Tearing hundreds of thousands of immigrants from their families exemplifies just how callous and out of touch the Trump administration is.
The resolution is supported by the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), California Catholic Conference (CCC), California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC), and the Salvadoran American Leadership and Education Fund (SALEF).
“The current administration’s decision to rescind TPS is disastrous, especially for the Salvadorans who earned it for nearly 20 years,” said Carlos Vaquerano, Executive Director and Founder of SALEF. “Los Angeles is home to the second largest Salvadoran community outside of El Salvador so we understand the value that the Salvadoran community brings to California. Salvadoran TPS holders, alongside other TPS holders, strengthen our communities, pay taxes, attend universities, and work in some of the most critical industries in California.
HR 69 delivers a strong and clear message to the current administration that this decision does not reflect the reality of conditions in El Salvador. HR 69 proves that California’s leaders will stand with TPS holders and their families to defend their rights.”
Assemblymember Carrillo will continue to work with her colleagues, Congress, and community organizations to ensure the Salvadoran community has the support they need to navigate these uncertain circumstances. These efforts include advancing Assembly Bill 1862, along with joint author Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), to fight the Trump Administration’s effort to deport Salvadorans from California.
A continuación reacciones de la asambleísta Wendy Carrillo (3 cortes de audio) en español:
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Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo was elected to the 51st Assembly District in December of 2017. She is a member of the Rules, Appropriations, Public Safety, Health and Water Parks & Wildlife Committees. Carrillo represents the people of East Los Angeles, Northeast Los Angeles, and the neighborhoods of El Sereno, Echo Park, Lincoln Heights, Chinatown and parts of Silver Lake.
CONTACT: Alicia.Isaacs@asm.ca.gov (916) 319-2051