California Bill Would Grant Work Permits to Tens of Thousands of Undocumented Workers

May 15, 2012
By Ruxandra Guidi

A California bill would grant state work permits to tens of thousands of undocumented workers who are already doing agricultural and service work.

While states such as Arizona and Alabama have bills that restrict illegal immigration, a proposed California bill is aiming to help immigrants stay — and work — in the state.

The bill is controversial, not only because it would allow almost 2 million unauthorized immigrants to work, but also because the state is facing a budget crisis and high unemployment.

But Democratic Assemblyman Manuel Perez, the son of immigrant farmworkers, says “federal inaction on immigration” is prompting him to do something to help workers and the businesses that rely on them.