The voice of the fields September 2014

FA R M L A B O R I N F O R M AT I O N B U L L E T I N

Voice of the Fields California

October 2014

FREE

Volume 24, Number 10

California Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Workers Starts Jan. 1, 2015

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or the first time since 1993, undocumented workers will be able to obtain a drivers license in the state of California through California’s Assembly Bill 60 (AB60). California will be joining other states such as Connecticut, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, as well as Washington, D.C in allowing undocumented workers to drive legally. This bill is a big step for agricultural workers of California and other undocumented workers, many of whom drive to work without a license.

AB60 passed on September 12, 2013 and was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. The bill will go into effect on January 1, 2015. The law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to issue a drivers license to those without the necessary proof of “legal presence” in the United States. Applicants under this bill must meet all other qualifications in order to obtain a drivers license. These qualifications Include: n Be over the age of 16 n Submit an application (form DL 44) which can be found in print at your local DMV office n Submit proof of California residency n Submit a legal document saying they cannot obtain a social security number or are not legally allowed to live in the United States. n Pass a written test n Pass a driving test at the DMV

Applicants who receive this license receive it for “Driving Privileges Only”.

This means the license cannot be used as a type of identification, used to board an airplane, gain employment, open a bank account, and other benefits.

Although this license is for “Driving Privileges Only”, AB 60 provides many other benefits for undocumented workers and other drivers of California.

Now, undocumented workers can legally drive their children to school, run errands, and go to work. These licenses give undocumented workers more freedom and more positive legal presence in the state of California.

A very important benefit of this bill is that it is creating safer roads for everyone in California. With over 1.4 million undocumented workers living in the state, it is about time they have the chance to safely obtain a license

through formal training. In the state of California, licensed drivers are required to have car insurance. AB 60 will help decrease the event of unlicensed drivers leaving the scene after a car accident, therefore giving drivers more information on what to do in the event of an emergency.

With all the benefits this bill brings to the state of California, there are also some concerns and risks with Assembly Bill 60. The difference between a license for a citizen and a license for an undocumented worker is the distinguishing “Driving Privileges Only” on the card.

Many are concerned that if drivers are pulled over, police officers could report the undocumented worker to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to investigate their legal status. Under this bill, the DMV cannot share information of the status of undocumented workers, but this does not completely apply to police officers that can pull undocumented workers over.

Many applicants have also raised concern over the necessary documents needed to obtain a license. Many undocumented workers do not have these documents because they are too difficult to get from their government, or

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Driver’s Licenses Continued from previous page

are too costly. Applicants without these documents could be disqualified from receiving their license altogether.

While this bill is still being amended, legislators are editing language and working with the DMV to protect undocumented workers. Assembly Bill 60 is a big step for immigrants in California and immigration reform as a whole.

For more detailed information on how to prepare to receive your license visit the California DMV website at www.dmv.ca.gov and click the AB60 tab under the Driver License heading. On this website you will find information in English, Spanish, and a variety of other information on topics such as: n AB60 general information and updates n Sample driving tests n Public hearings and workshops If you are unable to access the Internet to visit the website, you can call or visit your local DMV office and ask a representative for print information about AB60.

To call the DMV for information or to find your local office, dial 1-800-777-0133. Call Center business hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 am to 5 pm, Pacific time and Wednesday, 9am to 5 pm, Pacific time.

California’s Immigration Update

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his year, Farmworker Justice stated that nearly 11 million undocumented people are currently living in the country and are not seeking legal citizenship because of the high processing costs, and extreme eligibility requirements. Agricultural workers in particular represent a very high population of undocumented residents. According to the U.S. government, 80 percent of farm workers do not have the necessary documents to work and live in the U.S. legally. Therefore, the United States has begun the process of reforming old immigration laws in order to provide rights and protections to individuals and families who are essential to the country’s economy and food supply.

With this in mind, this year was supposed to be the year of widespread, comprehensive immigration reform in the United States, with President Barack Obama leading the way. Unfortunately, there has been delayed action among our nations leaders this year so states have taken the issue of immigration into their own hands. California is a State leading the way with passing legislation to better the lives of undocumented individuals in the state.

This summer, thousands of children left their homelands of Central America to seek refuge in the United States. This event sparked even more concern for immigration reform, with many politicians wanting to send them home, and others wanting them to stay to have a trial. President Obama called this a humanitarian crisis and urged Congress to approve a $3.7 billion spending bill to help the kids.

On Saturday, September ninth, the White House announced the delay of President Obama’s immigration reform deadline, which was met with severe backlash from activists around the na-

tion. Now the nation must wait until after the November elections for reform.

Many groups were outraged with this decision, the United Farm Workers said, “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

United We Dream said it is “another slap to the face of the Latino and immigrant community.” The Latino community in the United States feels let down and manipulated by many politicians who try to win their votes, then put their issues on the back-burner.

Many states, such as California, have taken immigration reform into their own hands. In August, Governor Brown met with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto where the President thanked the California Governor for respecting immigrants “whether they have citizenship or not, whether they have legal status or not.” The President also said, “the government of Mexico has so much respect for what the government of California has done.” Recently, Governor Brown has signed legislation to allow illegal immigrants to obtain a drivers license and receive financial aid for universities. Much of this legislation aimed at making it easier

for undocumented individuals to live in California were proposed and backed by the California Latino Legislative Caucus, whom have worked tirelessly to advocate and promote the Latino community in California.

While the state of California seems ahead of the nation with immigration, many activists are worried whether President Obama will ever make comprehensive immigration reform. Immigration could become one of the bigger topics in the November elections because of this delay by the President.

Many legislators are upset with the lack of work and reform on a national level in regards to immigration. Responding to President Obama’s decision to delay his self-imposed deadline

for executive action on immigration, California Latino Legislative Caucus Chair Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Huntington Park/Long Beach) released the following statement: “While it’s unfortunate that the White House has once again broken its promise and delayed its self-imposed deadline to take executive action on immigration relief, California is moving forward. We continue to pass legislation with bipartisan support aimed at integrating our immigrant communities by expanding access to education, driver’s licenses, professional licenses, health care and ensuring Californians are treated with dignity and respect by passing the TRUST ACT. We will continue

our work because every day without Comprehensive Immigration Reform means millions of families are at risk of separation. California will continue to serve as a model for the nation to follow absent federal leadership.”

The future of immigration reform is unknown at this point but many are speculating that the issue will be a hot topic for elections in 2016. Many also believe Hispanic voters in California will be pivotal for reform in 2016. La Voz will make efforts to periodically inform our readers on updates for immigration reform in America. For more resources on updates for immigration reform contact the Farmworker Justice office at www.farmworkerjustice.org or (202) 293-5420.

Agricultural Jobs available to U.S. workers under H-2A contract Active

CalJobs Number

Job Title

Pay Rates

Contract Dates

Positions

City of Job

Employer’s County (for ECMS)

EDD Workforce Service Site Office

1

14162930

Farmworkers Strawberry/Raspberry

$11.01 HR

10/15/14 09/15/15

30

Santa Maria

Santa Barbara

Santa Maria WS (805) 614-1550

2

14184433

Farmworkers Avocado, Lemon

$11.01 HR

11/20/14 - 9/18/15

20

Santa Paula

Ventura

Oxnard WS (805) 382-8610

3

14178000

Farmworkers Lettus

$11.01 HR

11/17/14 - 3/31/15

750

Bard

Imperial

El Centro WS (760) 863-2600

4

13898523

Farmworkers Sheepherder

$1600.74 Mo

on-going

206

California and Western States

California and Western States

Selected EDD WSB Offices

The H-2A temporary agricultural program allows agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers to bring nonimmigrant foreign workers to the U.S. to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature. The H-2A employers must demonstrate that qualified U.S. workers are not available for the job and the employment of temporary foreign workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers similarly employed. Preference in hiring will be given to qualified U.S. workers before employers are allowed to bring in foreign workers under the program.

Don’t Miss Out on Upcoming Shows on Radio Bilingue

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id you know there is a radio show that discusses issues in the monthly Voice of the Fields newsletter? Join us at Radio Bilingue every third Wednesday of each month at 10am. Radio Bilingue provides listeners with in depth information on the issues we write about for you every month. The host of the show is Ms. Delia Saldivar.

Every month, La Cooperativa’s Date Time one-hour La Voz radio program October 22, 2014 10:00 AM reaches approximately half a million November 19, 2014 10:00 AM listeners. Upcoming tentative show December 17, 2014 10:00 AM dates are: The Radio Bilingue program is a non-profit radio network with Latino control and leadership. California radio stations are:

Blythe

KERU

88.5 FM

Voice of the Fields California Circulation: 45,000 copies

Cedarville Pasadena

KVYA

88.9 FM

KPCC-HD

89.3. FM

Sacramento

KATD

990 AM

XHITT

88.7 FM

San Diego

San Francisco

KIQI

1010 AM

Santa Maria

KSBQ

1480 AM

KBBF

89.1 FM

Santa Rosa

You can also listen online and gain access to past programs by visiting, www.lacooperativa.org. For more information about radio bilingue, visit www.radiobilingue.org or call Toll-Free: 1-800-200-5758.

www.LaCooperativa.org Published monthly by: La Cooperativa Campesina de California 1107 9th Street, Suite 420, Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone 916.388.2220 Fax 916.388.2425 This product was funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.

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