SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — A measure by Assemblymembers Kevin McCarty (D – Sacramento), Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D – San Diego) and Adrin Nazarian (D – Van Nuys), which will provide refugees with in-state tuition at California Community Colleges during their first year of residency was signed into law today by Governor Jerry Brown (D – California). Assembly Bill (AB) 343, part of the ‘California Welcomes Refugees’ legislative package, furthers the Golden State’s efforts to integrate refugee immigrants into our state.
California is home to the United States’ largest refugee population and has welcomed over 112,000 refugees in just the past fifteen years. Expanding on their commitment to support refugee children, this year’s state budget included $10 million for K-12 school districts with high refugee student populations to provide supplemental support services, like translation services and counseling. McCarty, Gonzalez Fletcher and Nazarian represent counties with the highest refugee populations in the state (Sacramento, San Diego and Los Angeles). Earlier this year, the State Assembly approved HR 23 (McCarty) declaring June 20, 2017 as World Refugee Day and recognizing the sacrifices and contributions refugees have made to strengthen the Golden State.
“California will lead by facts, not fear,” said Assemblymember McCarty. “The fact is that successfully integrating refugee communities will make California’s economy stronger and our communities safer. I am proud of California’s efforts this year to welcome refugees to the Golden State and will continue to stand with refugees as they work to achieve the American dream.”
AB 343 will take effect on January 1, 2018.
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