SACRAMENTO, CA – SEIU California members today celebrated the signing of AB 1876 (Ting), a huge step forward in the inclusion of California’s immigrant communities in our economic safety net. AB 1876 will expand California’s tax credit for people with low incomes (CalEITC) to include all undocumented immigrants who qualify by income. Hundreds of thousands of individuals and families in desperate need could benefit.
“In a dark and threatening time, California’s community of immigrants, immigrant rights advocates, and unions asked our elected leaders to step up and shine the light of inclusion and humanity in California,” said David Huerta, President of SEIU-USWW and Executive Board Member of SEIU California. “Today, with the Governor’s signature on AB 1876, they did just that, which will help so many Californians meet their basic, urgent needs.”
“This represents an historic extension of a crucial part of our safety net – California’s state Earned Income Tax Credit – to hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants and their families,” said Huerta. “California has taken a crucial step forward toward a more just and inclusive society, and this inspires us to continue our journey, though we have many miles to go.”
AB 1876:
- Extends California’s tax credit for lower-income earners, the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), to all undocumented immigrants who qualify by income
- Expands upon an earlier extension that was targeted to benefit families with young children only
- Could benefit as many as 500,000-700,000 Californians
“I want to thank my undocumented immigrant sisters and brothers across the state who bravely spoke out about the exclusion of immigrants from any kind of protection or help,” said Verónica Lagunas, a janitor from Los Angeles and a member of SEIU United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW). “To the janitors, housekeepers, warehouse workers, garment workers, car wash workers, farmworkers, day laborers, fast-food workers and other restaurant workers who stood up for justice: I applaud your courage and celebrate the difference it will make in the lives of hundreds of thousands of Californians. When we fight, we win.”