LOS ANGELES– The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) today announced it strongly supports the Citizenship For Essential Workers Act, which will immediately adjust any non-citizen worker's status to legal permanent resident while paving a fast and accessible path to citizenship for essential workers.

LACCD officials applaud California U.S. Senator Alex Padilla for the incredible leadership taken on this issue; acknowledge the essential role that U.S. Representative T ed Lieu has played in bringing this legislation forward, and are proud of the work that California’s leaders are doing at the federal level.

The Citizenship For Essential Workers Act is a critical component of an inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Presently, 5.2 million undocumented immigrants are working in jobs that have been identified as essential, of which roughly 1 million are "Dreamers" under the American Dream and Promise Act. LACCD, enrolling almost 230,000 students annually, has a high population of undocumented/DACA students, many of whom are concurrently providing essential services while enrolled in classes.

“LACCD enrolls more undocumented college students than the other two California publicuniversity systems combined, and possibly more than any other system for higher educationnationwide,” LACCD Board President Steven Veres said. “As a staunch advocate for the rights of undocumented and DACA students, the District fully supports the Citizenship For Essential Workers Act, the broadest standalone pathway to citizenship proposed by Congress for anysingle group of immigrant workers.”

“Our undocumented and DACA students are integral and valued members of our LACCD family, and many are serving the needs of the Los Angeles region as essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic,” LACCD Chancellor Francisco C. Rodriguez, Ph.D., said. “Undocumentedessential workers have faced higher rates of exposure to the COVID-19 virus, and students in this role have been navigating the disproportionate impact the pandemic has had in communities of color while also balancing coursework. Providing undocumented essential workers with an accessible and secure path to citizenship is multi-benefit; a pathway to citizenship will aid in the economic recovery of the country while dramatically improving the outcomes for undocumentedessential workers through rights guaranteed by legal status.”

LACCD will continue to advocate on behalf of students, regardless of immigration status, and is proud to support the Citizenship For Essential Workers Act.