SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s Latino Caucus gathered Tuesday morning to announce its legislative priorities for 2024 — highlighting a package of bills which concentrates on the state’s undocumented immigrants.

The caucus, consisting of 35 members, is influential in the Legislature and has championed a series of wins over the last decade, including laws to allow residents to apply for driver’s licenses regardless of immigration status and expand Medi-Cal access.

This year, members voted to prioritize bills that will further strengthen the social safety net for undocumented residents while keeping in mind a projected budget deficit of up to $73 billion. However, some of these measures likely face an uphill battle as the state seeks to close the deficit without cutting programs that are already providing services to Californians.

“We’re really about preserving what we have fought for in previous budget cycles,” said Assemblywoman Sabrina Cervantes, D-Riverside and chair of the caucus. “That preservation is so critical.”

Several Latino lawmakers spoke at a press conference Tuesday to present the 16 priority measures, many of which are continued efforts from recent years. Newer priority bills center around education and farmworker issues.

Among the repeat priorities is Assembly Bill 4, authored by Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula, D-Fresno. The measure continues a push to extend health care coverage to more undocumented residents by broadening income eligibility.

Earlier this year, California officially opened its Medi-Cal eligibility to all undocumented age groups. However, many low-income undocumented residents remain ineligible because coverage is based on income relative to the federal poverty level.

As of 2024, the Medi-Cal income cap for one person is roughly $20,000.

“That’s barely enough money for most people to keep a roof over their head and food on their tables, let alone to deal with rising health care costs,” Arambula said.

Another priority bill hoping to have better luck this year is AB 311, authored by Assemblyman Miguel Santiago, D-Los Angeles. The bill would expand food assistance benefits to all undocumented immigrants.

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