Bill Allowing Illegal Immigrants’ Businesses to Receive State Aid Passes California Assembly

The California Assembly passed a measure May 21 on a vote of 61 to 10 which would allow businesses owned by illegal immigrants to receive business development assistance from the state. Assembly Bill 2543, authored by Assemblyman Dr. Joaquin Arambula, would allow all owners to have their businesses certified by the state, which would then provide eligibility for such assistance and other services, regardless of immigration status. Such is already offered through the state’s small business certification program, but not for those who are not U.S. citizens. “Despite their importance to local communities and their economic contribution to the state, many small businesses are unable to access the benefits of the small business certification program,” Dr. Arambula said in legislative analyses. “This prevents them from accessing the benefits of small business certification, restricting their ability to expand and continue to help the state’s economy grow.”...