CA Republicans Urge Amnesty For Illegal Immigrants

Six California Republican state lawmakers have written a letter to President Donald Trump, urging Immigration and Customs Enforcement to avoid "sweeping raids" and instead focus on criminal immigrants. The lawmakers claim that recent ICE raids have created widespread fear among employees, including those with legal immigration status. They are calling for a path to legal status for non-criminal undocumented immigrants with longstanding ties to their communities. The lawmakers also want to modernize the immigration process, citing the need for a system that balances compassion and lawfulness. They reference the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act signed by President Ronald Reagan, which allowed approximately three million undocumented immigrants to secure legal status. The lawmakers also want to expand and reform the H-2A and H-2B visa programs to authorize more legal guest workers and streamline the process. California employers are struggling to fill positions, with 5.3% of Californians unemployed and 659,000 job openings in March. The signatories of the letter include state Sen. Minority Leader Brian Jones and five other Republican lawmakers. The lawmakers are seeking a more compassionate and lawful approach to immigration, citing the need for reform nearly 40 years after Reagan's legislation.