UPDATE: Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, Univision Los Angeles, SEIU CA, Announce Partnership for Statewide Public Forums on Immigration

Thursday, June 11, 2015
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

En Español

LOS ANGELES — Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced updated addresses for Los Angeles and Riverside immigration forums to be held later this month.

Last month, Attorney General Harris announced her office would host a series of statewide public forums in partnership with Univision Los Angeles, Service Employees International Union of California and iAmerica to inform Californians about the impact of President Barack Obama’s immigration executive actions. The statewide forums will also serve to warn consumers about potential scams and other fraud targeted at immigrant communities. 
The public forums will be hosted in eight California counties including: Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, Monterey, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Clara and Stanislaus. The statewide public forums will cover topics ranging from eligibility for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program, including to how to avoid being a victim of fraud. 

“Because of DAPA and DACA, so many families will be able to get out from living in the shadows. We want to shine a light on a new path that frees them from the lure of predators and con artists,” said Attorney General Harris. “These forums will inform immigrants about their rights and responsibilities under the new programs, helping them on their way to realizing the American Dream.”

“Our community trusts us to provide them with the pertinent information on this very important topic that affects so many,” said Luis Patiño, senior vice president and general manager, Univision Los Angeles. “As a media company, it is our role to not only entertain our viewers, but we have a social responsibility to inform and empower them with the resources and tools that will help them understand complex topics such as this one and these town halls do just that.” 

“SEIU members in California are proud to partner with Attorney General Kamala D. Harris to protect California families from exploitation, to promote commonsense immigration reform, and to explain how President Obama's actions will work once they take effect. These policies will make America and our economy stronger. More students and their parents will be able to fully participate in society," said SEIU California and SEIU United Long-Term Care President Laphonza Butler.

“Hard-working immigrants who are mothers, fathers and youth contribute to our economy and to our communities and yet every day these families are being ripped apart by a broken immigration system. SEIU appreciates Attorney General Kamala D. Harris' leadership in bringing justice to immigrant families who are ready to be fully included in the country they call home," said SEIU-USWW President David Huerta.

UPCOMING FORUM DATES 

Fresno:
Saturday, June 13 at 10:00 AM
Manchester Mall
1901 E. Shields Ave.
Fresno, CA

Los Angeles
Sunday, June 14 at 10:00 AM
Garfield High School Auditorium
5101 E. Sixth St.
Los Angeles, CA 90022

San Jose: 
Saturday, June 20 at 10:00 AM
Mayfair Community Center
2039 Kammerer Ave.
San Jose, CA 95116

Bakersfield: 
Saturday, June 27, 11:00 AM
Beale Memorial Library Auditorium
701 Truxtun Ave.
Bakersfield CA 93301 

San Diego: 
Saturday, June 27 at 10:00 AM
LIUNA Hall
4161 Home Ave.
San Diego, CA 92105 

Riverside:
Sunday, June 28, 3:00 PM
Our Lady of Perpetual Help 
5250 Central Avenue
Riverside, CA 92504

FORUMS ALREADY HELD

Modesto :
Saturday, May 30 at 11:00 AM
Argus and Endeavor High School
2555 Lawrence St.
Ceres, CA 95307 

Salinas: 
Sunday, May 31 at 12:00 PM
Hartnell College (Auxiliary Gym)
411 Central Ave.
Salinas, CA 93901

Major changes to United States immigration policy, like those contained in President Barack Obama’s Immigration Accountability Executive Actions announced in November 2014, often lead to con artists emerging to prey on vulnerable consumers seeking help with immigration services.

In November 2014, Attorney General Harris issued a consumer alert informing Californians of these scams and issuing tips to protect themselves. In December 2014, Attorney General Harris issued a consumer alert informing Californians about possible scams targeting immigrants attempting to obtain a driver’s license under Assembly Bill 60 (AB 60).

In March, Attorney General Harris joined 13 other states and the District of Columbia in filing a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the U.S. government’s emergency request that President Barack Obama’s immigration executive actions be allowed to proceed. The brief called on the Court to stay the preliminary injunction entered in the Southern District of Texas blocking the new immigration program. This week, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the U.S. Department of Justice’s request for an emergency stay.

Attorney General Harris also issued two information bulletins to law enforcement agencies outlining their responsibilities and potential liability for complying with complying with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) federal detainer requests for undocumented immigrants. The updated bulletin issued in June 2014 informed the agencies of new requirements they face since enactment of the Transparency and Responsibility Using State Tool Act (TRUST Act) and new federal case law that created legal risk for local law enforcement agencies that voluntarily comply with federal detainer requests.

For additional information regarding these forums please contact SEIU's media contacts:

English Language
Michael Roth
Email: Mike@paschalroth.com  Phone:916-444-7170 

Spanish Language
Maria Elena Jauregui
Email: m.jauregui@ocmedia.cc Phone: 818-355-5291

  

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