Rep. Lofgren speaks on new Registry Bill proposal for undocumented immigrants

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV) - Rep. Zoe Lofgren visited Watsonville today to speak on updating an existing law to create a pathway to lawful permanent residency for undocumented immigrants.

The proposed bill would be titled the Registry Bill, which Logren has taken a lead on. The bill will help renew the Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929.

Under that act, if an undocumented resident has been in the country for a long time with a clean record, they can register to become a legal permanent resident. The announcement of the proposed bill to renew this comes with the rise of ICE raids throughout the state of California.

Lofgren stated that during these raids, the most affected were farmworkers and day laborers.

"That's not what people thought was going to happen when people voted for violent criminals should be removed," Rep. Logren said. "So it's important that we protect America. The working people of America, the families of America, the economy of America by enacting this law."

Watsonville Mayor Maria Orozco joined Lofgren, along with Santa Cruz County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez, Monica Madrid of Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, and Bonita Villalobos Rivera of the United Farm Workers.