Cspan2. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] good afternoon. My name is Winnie Stachelberg and on the executive Vice President for external affairs at the center for American Progress. Before we begin our program, please join us in letting everyone know that our thoughts and prayers are with those suffering from the devastating impacts of natural disasters here in the United States, in our territories abroad, and around the world. We hope for the safety and relief of individuals, families, and communities affected. Welcome to todays timely discussion regarding state and local actions to promote Public Safety and increased inclusion for immigrants and refugee communities across the country. Generations of immigrants have built and strengthened American Communities since the beginning of our nations history. But at certain moments in time, and we are in one of those moments today, we have experienced a pervasive and dangerous form of nationalism that has made strangers out of friends, neighbors, and beloved community members. The reality is that many immigrants who have come to this country seeking a more prosperous and peaceful life have instead become subject to the politics of fear and to policies that fall short of true american patriotism, one which welcomes the stranger and pursues the common good. Today we will discuss how state and local communities can rise above fear and hatred, and come together to promote policies that support and welcome immigrants and refugees. And that doing so can become a core element of how they build and foster resilient communities. As a part of welcoming week, a National Effort to celebrate welcoming policies across america, we are excited to partner with welcoming america to bring you a Diverse Group of local voices who are standing up against divisive rhetoric, and bring others into preserve the richness and vitality of americans neighborhoods. At the center for American Progress we have highlighted the dangers influent of antiimmigrant groups on the Trump Administration immigration policy, and will continue providing facts and research addressing the costs to the economy, to families, and to communities resulting from mass deportation policies, increased militarization of border communities, and expanded interior enforcement efforts. And based on the research we conduct, this is what we know. Contrary to this administrations claims, Research Shows that undocumented immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than the usborn population. During trumps first 100 days in office, immigration arrests rose by more than 37 , despite his Campaign Promise to deport only those with criminal records. His administration has made all unauthorized immigrants a priority for deportation, with arrest rates more than doubling for immigrants without criminal records. And nearly 6 million u. S. Citizen children live with at least one unauthorized family member. Since the election weve seen reports from across the country of spikes in fear and distress among Young Children because of fears of potentially losing a loved one to detention or deportation. With all of this increased enforcement, the administrations Decision Just two weeks ago to resend daca program and leave nearly 800,000 young people in limbo one of catastrophic human and social economic consequences. Kappa research has found that taking Daca Recipients out of the workforce would result in a loss of more than 460 billion from our national and gdp in the next ten years. In california alone, home to the largest share of daca beneficiaries, removing the 194,000 daca eligible workers would cost more than 11. 6 billion in annual gdp losses. For states like texas where we saw dreamers risking their lives during Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, we can expect 6. 3 billion in annual losses, as 108,000 workers could be removed from their labor force. Meanwhile, recent polls show us that americans widely support giving dreamers the chance to stay permanently in america, including 73 of trump voters. Allowing these young immigrants to stay in the United States is both moral and an economic imperative. Just this week we released a new analysis which finds that passing the dream act of placing all of the immediately eligible workers on a path to legal status would add at least accumulative 281 billion to the u. S. Gdp over a decade, a figure that could rise to a site as 1 trillion if everyone who could be eligible for the dream act is put on a path to citizenship. Today we will hear directly from Civic Leaders and Law Enforcement officials from places as diverse as texas, iowa, california, and here in the district of columbia as they share experiences and lessons with us. But first it is my pleasure to introduce and welcome California Senate president pro tem kevin de leon. Center daily own tenacious leadership has paved the way for smart, progressive policy that serve as National Models. Just a few days ago the senate bill 54, the california values act deemed the most comprehensive bill to protect undocumented immigrants residing in the state cleared the state legislature and thats not painting governor jerry browns expected signature. This model policy would ensure that undocumented friends, neighbors, and coworkers in california are able to live their lives and interact with Law Enforcement without fear of deportation. But this isnt the first groundbreaking process the center has worked on. In 2016, he successfully negotiated with Governor Brown and the state unions to secure a 15 minimum wage law in california and he was instrumental in the establishment of california secure choice retirement program, Retirement Savings program, which assists california retirees and is a National Model for retirement security. Senator de leon is also a National Leader on climate and energy policy, and is the first latino to ever hold the position of president pro tem of the california state senate. Please join me in welcoming back to c. A. P. , California Senate president pro tem kevin de leon. [applause] thank you so very much, winnie. I, too, want to associate mike comments, i want to ago on behalf of the state of california are deepest condolences to the people of mexico. Ive been in touch with the governor who happens to be in a belief in new york or connecticut right now as we speak, to see what is it that we can do as a state to provide our nextdoor neighbors with assistance that are needed during this very difficult tragedy in mexico. We will be in touch as baltimore with the mexican ambassador, tomorrow in d. C. , so i thank you very much, winnie, for bringing this up. Good afternoon, and i want you thank you all for inviting me to join you here today. I want to thank winnie for the very kind introduction of my person, and a very proud to be at the center for American Progress, which is become a bastion of progressive thought and policy, in less than 15 years since its founding. I want to thank you for the tremendous work that you do. I cant tell you how valuable it is as a lawmaker to have credible, rigorous thirdparty analysis on issues like immigration, healthcare, as well as Climate Change here and as you know the California State Legislature just concluded its work for the year. I am biased of course butt ugly firmly that this was truly a historic, productive session. From a record investments in public education, and vital infrastructure like a fort warehousing, transportation, parks and water, to our successful extension of californias landmark climate carpentry program. And the single largest investment in clean air, in state history. We also took important steps to preserve the character of our state, the quality that made california a very special place. From the outset we made it clear we would protect our people and our progress. And for obvious reasons, immigration was front and center. For those familiar with the californias complicated history with immigration policy, from the chinese exclusion act to pete wilsons proposition 187 in the early 90s was cut off access ven been to public educa, health care and other Vital Services for undocumented immigrants. We have not always been as tolerant and welcoming to immigrants as we are now, but whats past is prologue. That difficult history has informed us each step of the way since. We learned our lesson the hard way. We know that tearing apart honest, hardworking families is not the answer. Separating mothers from their children is no solution to get doesnt make us safer. It doesnt bring back jobs. It doesnt solve our economic challenges. In fact, i would argue it does quite the opposite. It undermines our prosperity and makes us less safe, because it hurts the trust that Law Enforcement has worked so hard to build with immigrant communities throughout the country. That difficult chapter in our history continues to reverberate today. The California Republican party still has not recovered from the backlash even after more than 20 years from proposition 187. In fact, it was actually in response to proposition 187 and the at the immigrant animus wave in the 90s that i first became politically active. That was a turning point for me personally, just as it was for the state of california. I believe california is a bellwether for the nation on this issue. Of course, this president brought back those painful memories and exploited deepseated tensions to win his office. Since taking office weve seen some of his more detestable Campaign Rhetoric is put into action. From the muslim ban the threats to define sanctuary cities, and most recently decision to end daca. We knew we had to be decisive. So i took the extraordinary position, the step of actually hiring outside counsel. That outside counsel is a former attorney general of the United States, the head of the department of justice eric holder, to help inform and advise the legislature on this issue as well as many other issues. And we set to work building a wall of resistance to the hateful, destructive, and shortsighted agenda currently prevailing here in washington. We of course have built excuse me. We of course have filed a number of lawsuits in consultation with mr. Holder as well as her state attorney general, javier fassero. We defended actions for those immigrants residing in the state of california to ensure due process for all. We passed my bill, senate bill 54, the California California values act, also known as the sanctuary state bill to ensure that california state or local Law Enforcement agencies focus solely on their duty to protect and serve our communities, all opportunities regardless of who you are and where you come from, that you are your skin, your native language, regardless of you love. School police as well as security departments from using resources, local tax dollars and state tax dollars to enforce federal immigration laws. It also create safe zones at our schools at our hospitals, at our churches, and our courthouses and other sensitive locations. So far immigrant communities can live their lives and conduct important business free of fear. It is been called the sanctuary state law, but i want to be very clear on the record because i think that is a false characterization. Its a misnomer. There is a such thing as a sanctuary city or sanctuary state. Theres a such thing as a false invisible wall. If you get right behind it, somehow someway you will be free from i. C. E. Deportation or detention. The reality is its not lost me that the federal government has exclusive jurisdiction over federal immigration law. They have the right, the legal right to enforce federal immigration laws that are currently on the books. But it doesnt mean local governments or state governments have to be an extension or a cog in the trunk deportation machine. Does mean a local resident throughout the nation have to be double taxed him double taxed is that local tax dollars that should be utilized for local police to protect and serve all communities are now being utilized to be an extension of the federal immigration authorities. We should not be double taxed and we should not have our local Police Officers abandon their responsibilities, their duties. To help set up a perimeter around say an Elementary School waiting for mothers to pick up their children after school. Thats not who we are as a great state. Does that who we are as a great country. What this measurably does is prevent the type of situation you had in arizona with a disgrace sheriff joe arpaio. Prevents Law Enforcement from arresting any person for civil immigration violation. It limits cooperation the i. C. E. To only those cases involving violent felony crimes. It ensures our Public Safety officers and resources are not commandeered by the federal government for the purpose of mass deportation. This was a very hardfought compromise with our governor, Governor Brown, and the Law Enforcement community. Its not as expensive as it originally was, but he do think the final product strikes the critical balance between Public Safety and protecting our values as a state that welcomes immigrant communities. We also secured 30 million for Legal Assistance for daca students in california. Im under no illusions that the steps alone are enough to solve our immigration challenges. Clearly there should be sensible limits on immigration that is the responsibility of the federal government to set those limits. We can all agree we need comprehensive Immigration Reform. Claire, predictable, and fair guidelines which secures a party for National Security reasons and provides a pathway to legal residency and citizenship for undocumented community throughout the great country. But we have a problem. The situation is we have a congress who have abdicated their responsibility to do their job, to roll up their sleeves and actually get a comprehensive Immigration Reform package across the desk to the president. But let me be very clear. If the new president wants to wage a campaign of fear against innocent families, he can count us out. We will not lift a single finger or spend a single cent. We will not allow one election to reverse generations of progress at the height of our historic diversity, our scientific advancement, are economic output and our sense of global responsibility. We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to protect all california until congress does. The state of california today is the sixth largest economy in the entire world. We are the epicenter of innovation and inclusivity. We didnt get there by embracing alternative facts or pseudoscientific nonsense. This state, the great state of california, we made policy based on facts as well as science. We dont govern by gimmick because you cannot run a Global Economy by stoking hatred as well as the vision. The great state of california is a beautiful mosaic. Its an amazing tapestry, so many different views with your ancestry originates from scotland, united kingdom, ireland or whether its from mexico central america, or russia or china, vietnam or south korea, or elsewhere. Its a state of inclusivity and diversity, and that is the key to our success, being the sixth largest economy in the world to put this in context that are only five larger economies in the world, United States a as a whole in the aggregate, china, japan, and good to depend on the fluctuation of the sterling, the pound, the united kingdom, and then it is your great state, the state of california. If you remotely interested in rounding out the top ten, we have at number seven, we have france, we have brazil, we have a nation thats been in the news quite a bit and will be so for the foreseeable future, we have russia and then we have italy pics of californias economy is larger than that of Vladimir Putins russia, to put this in context. This is what it means for california to embrace people from all over the world who want to come to our country, want to come to our state, want to work hard, who want to give their children a better future, who respect our laws, paid her taxes, and pledge their allegiance to the red, white and blue. Thats why we have a president who says we have 11 billion13 million undocumented immigrants who are criminal felons, we know that to be an alternative fact because we know that to be not accurate. In fact, its a narrative that is steve bannon, steve miller with chris kobach and opposite the attorney general of the United States mr. Jeff sessions has perpetuated for a very, very long time. But this friend are Economic Prosperity as the state t. Our values, our progressive values as well as our people. Now, this country is greater than any one man or party. I want to finish by saying the f