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Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

Los Angeles Leaders Seek Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Alvin Clavon III |
August 2, 2013 | 10:02 a.m. PDT

Guest contributor

Representative Karen Bass while running for Congress (Creative Commons)
Representative Karen Bass while running for Congress (Creative Commons)

Angel Salazar, manager of Built Custom Burgers on S. Figueroa Street, has strong opinions on immigration reform. He supports parts of the bill, but not all of it.

“Our country was founded on immigration,” he said, “so there should be some reform.”

On the contrary, Salazar opposes building a border wall.

“It’s a waste of money to build a wall,” he said, “It’s a bad idea.”

Salazar spoke on amnesty as well, saying: “It’s dependent on crime. We shouldn’t allow criminals in our country, so I think it’s not a good idea.”

California’s 37th Congressional District is represented by Democratic congresswoman Karen Bass and includes parts of Los Angeles, Culver City, and Century City. Nearly half of the residents in the district are Hispanic with a quarter African-American; the rest are White, Asian, and other ethnic groups.

In a report released by NBC Latino in March Congresswoman Bass gave her opinion on immigration and what it should accomplish.

“A core principle of immigration reform must be a focus on protecting children of undocumented immigrants,” she said, “who through no fault of their own can end up being ripped away from a loving home or denied the right to see a parent they primarily rely on to have their basic needs met.

“Congress and the Administration must continue working together on a comprehensive immigration reform package,” she continued, “particularly a plan that keeps families together.”

Karen Bass, has been in Congress since 2011 and has served the 37th district (before 2013 it was the 33rd) since becoming part of the House. She supports positive progression, especially on the topic of immigration reform.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Rep. Bass said on Saturday in a meeting at town hall that she is pessimistic about the prospects for a broad overhaul of the nation's immigration system in the House of Representatives.

“I am not optimistic that comprehensive immigration reform is going to be brought up in the House of Representatives any time soon," said Bass, a member of the Judiciary Committee, which is hearing most of the immigration bills. "The bills making their way through the House I would not want to see go anywhere — they are very onerous; there is no pathway to citizenship in the bills."

The Huffington Post reported a statement issued by Linda Sanchez, the U.S. Representative for California’s 38th congressional district, which was co-signed by Gloria Molina, Los Angeles’ Supervisor of the First Supervisorial District.

California’s 38th congressional district, which was co-signed by Gloria Molina, Los Angeles’ Supervisor of the First Supervisorial District.

“We support comprehensive immigration reform and we believe President Obama is on the right track,” she said.

“He favors an immigration policy that rewards hard work and responsibility and lifts the shadow of deportation from young people who were brought here as children, through no fault of their own, and grew up as Americans.”

Eric Garcetti while running for Los Angeles mayor (Creative Commons)
Eric Garcetti while running for Los Angeles mayor (Creative Commons)

During Eric Garcetti’s campaign for mayor of Los Angeles Neon Tommy reported Eric Garcetti’s saying Los Angeles City Council would support his motion for re-establishing an office of immigrant affairs.

"At this moment, with comprehensive imimmigration reform coming on board, there's a real opportunity to re-establish this in the mayor's office to make sure all departments are cued up," Garcetti said. "This is the time to act, and we will help lead the way."

"There's always a cost, but I think we can do it with existing resources, shifting some of the programs we currently have and shifting existing dollars," Garcetti said.migration reform coming on board, there's a real opportunity to re-establish this in the mayor's office to make sure all departments are cued up," Garcetti said. "This is the time to act, and we will help lead the way."

Los Angeles City skyline (Creative Commons)
Los Angeles City skyline (Creative Commons)
FACT BOX:

California District: 37
Total Population: 648,847
Hispanic/Latino: 320,630
White: 212,773
Black: 142,623
American Indian: 4,792
Asian: 78,299
Two or More Races: 31,048

Per Capita Income: $19,251

Voter turnout in 2012: 187,816
Current voter registration: 364,684
Winner of 2008 election in Los Angeles: Barack Obama

 

Reach guest contributor Alvin Clavon here



 

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