EXTREMELY URGENT ACTION ALERT!

The Governor has proposed major cuts to the state budget by eliminating services that are vital to the immigrant community. Please join us in sending a letter to the members of the Budget Conference committee to let them know California cannot afford to cut these services, and that we must protect our vulnerable immigrant seniors, disabled, and working families.

Specifically, the Governor has proposed to eliminate:

The Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, which provides social security-type assistance to aged and disabled lawful immigrants who would qualify for federal social security, but did not meet post-1996 immigration requirements.

The California Food Assistance Program, which provides food assistance to lawful immigrant adults, working families, who do not yet qualify for federal food stamps.

Full-scope Medi-Cal for lawful immigrants who have been in the U.S. for fewer than 5 years. This would prevent adult immigrants from having access to primary and preventive medical care, leaving them to the emergency rooms, or other stop-gap measures.
Please use the following sample letters:

Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)

California Food Assistance Program (CFAP)

Full Schope Medi-Cal for Lawful Immigrants

These cuts don't have to happen. The legislature has convened a bicameral committee, the Budget Conference Committee, to vet the Governor's proposal and make some decisions. Please send them a letter to let them know the devastating effects these cuts could have on our newcomer community.

Assemblymember Noreen Evans, Chair, Budget Conference Committee - Fax: (916) 319-2199

Senator Denise Ducheny Monreno, Vice Chair, Budget Conference Committee - Fax: (916) 327-3522

Senator Alan Lowenthal, Member, Budget Conference Committee - Fax: (916) 327-9133

Senator Mark Leno, Member, Budget Conference Committee - Fax: (916) 445-4722

Senator Bob Dutton, Member, Budget Conference Committee - Fax: (916) 327-2272

Senator Mimi Walters, Member, Budget Conference Committee - Fax: (916) 445-9754

Assemblymember Kevin de León, Member, Budget Conference Committee - Fax: (916) 319-2145

Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield, Member, Budget Conference Committee - Fax: (916) 319-2140

Assemblymember Roger Niello, Member, Budget Conference Committee - Fax: (916) 319-2105

For more information, please call Vanessa Cajina, Statewide Policy Analyst for the California Immigrant Policy Center, at (916) 448-6762 or at vcajina@caimmigrant.org.

Keep up the good fight.

Sincerely,

Vanessa Cajina

Statewide Policy Analyst

California Immigrant Policy Center

1225 8th Street, Suite 590

Sacramento, CA 95816

(916) 448-6762 ph/(916) 448-6774 f

vcajina@caimmigrant.org