California Advocates Push For Passage Of Bill Offering Path To Citizenship For Immigrants

Here are the morning’s top stories on Wednesday, July 31, 2024…

• While the border is a contentious election issue and a growing number of Americans now want to restrict immigration, large majorities still support a path to citizenship for long-term undocumented immigrants. California immigrant advocates hope to capitalize on that support this week as they lobby in Washington D.C. for a bill that could make legalization possible for millions. 
• Among all of former President Donald Trump’s border policies, forced separations of migrant families was the most controversial. President Joe Biden vowed to end the separations when he took office, but they’re still happening. 
• Wildfires continue to consume California. The largest is the Park Fire burning northeast of Chico. It’s the fifth largest in state history at more than 389,000 acres. Meanwhile, in southwest Riverside County, firefighters are working to contain the rapid spread of the Nixon Fire.

Californian Activists In DC Press Congress To Pass Legalization Bill For Long-Term Immigrants

With immigration emerging as a key, divisive issue in the presidential election, scores of immigrant advocates from California converged on Washington, D.C., this week to put a human face on their concerns and press Congress for a bill that would offer a path to citizenship for millions of long-term people without permanent legal status.

At a rally Tuesday morning outside the U.S. Capitol, advocates said that now that Vice President Kamala Harris is the leading candidate to top the Democratic ticket, they have new hope for pro-immigrant policies.

Angelica Salas, the executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, or CHIRLA, said the fact that Harris is from California — and the daughter of immigrants herself — means she understands the immigrant community.

“She has stood with us in our worst moments,” including during the presidency of Donald Trump, Salas said. “When she knew that our families were fearful, she went to CHIRLA. She talked to our members. She told them that she would be a fighter for them. And she kept her promise.”

Report Reveals Migrant Family Separations Continue Under Biden

Central to President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign for president was a commitment to roll back Donald Trump’s harsh immigration policies, including the controversial practice of separating families at the southern border.

“It makes us a laughing stock and violates every notion of who we are as a nation,” Biden said of Trump’s family separation policies during a 2020 presidential debate. 

However, a new report from UCLA’s Center for Immigration Law and Policy reveals that while the Biden administration does not take the intentionally harsh approach of Trump’s policy, family separations are still happening.

Nixon Fire Explodes In Rural Riverside County

Wildfires continue to burn up serious chunks of land here in California. The largest is the Park Fire in Northern California. It’s consumed more than 389,000 acres in four counties, making it the fifth largest fire in state history.

Meanwhile in Southern California, firefighters are working to contain the rapid spread of the Nixon Fire in southwest Riverside County. The blaze exploded to nearly 5,000 acres, but crews have gained some containment. As of Wednesday morning, the fire is 5% contained. Evacuation orders and warnings are in place for some 2000 homes.

The fire started in vegetation Monday afternoon near the Riverside and San Diego County border. A Cal Fire spokesperson says the cause is under investigation.