(SANTA CLARA, CA – 1/13/2020) – The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) today welcomed Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2020 state budget, with more than $100 million earmarked for services to immigrants across the state of California.
Governor Newsom unveiled his proposed $222 billion budget last Friday, January 10.
Proposed services benefiting immigrant communities include:
• $65 million for legal services for immigrants
• $10 million in funding for legal services at community colleges
• $5.8 million to hire DREAM resource liaisons at public colleges and universities
• $15 million over three years for the CalNEW Project, which helps improve English-language proficiency/academic performance and offsets damage from the federal government’s new public charge rule
• 10 million for the Social Entrepreneurs for Economic Development initiative (SEED), which fosters entrepreneurship among immigrants.
SEE: Governor Gavin Newsom’s Budget Envisions an Activist Agenda but Limits on Higher Spending
In a statement, CAIR-CA’s San Francisco Bay Area Executive Director, Zahra Billoo said:
“We are encouraged by this proposal from Governor Newsom especially at a time of anti-immigration rhetoric coming from the Trump administration. There is a great need to expand services to immigrant communities and it brings us hope to see this proposed state budget. Recognizing the importance of immigrants in the state is critical and it is clear that funding is needed for their well-being.”
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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CONTACT: Communications Coordinator Zoha Raza, 408.986.9874, zraza@cair.com