Pros and cons of California Democrats’ 10-bill immigration package

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 10: Nurse Allison Miller checks the blood pressure of Keri Anderson as nurses and physicians give free basic health screenings and call attention to what they say is the ongoing healthcare emergency despite the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the Affordable Care Act, on July 10, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. Three days of free screenings in the Los Angeles area are part of the Medicare for All tour which is making up to two dozen stops across California between June 19 and July 12. The California Nurses Association says that 30 percent of Los Angeles County adults are uninsured and 18 percent cannot afford doctor visits. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) — Nurse Allison Miller checks the blood pressure of Keri Anderson as nurses and physicians give free basic health screenings and call attention to what they say is the ongoing healthcare emergency despite the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the Affordable Care Act, on July 10, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

Tuesday morning, Democratic lawmakers pulled the tarp off of an immigration package containing 10 bills that the state legislators hope will build momentum for federal immigration action.

One of the bills, proposed by Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) would allow enrollment in Medi-Cal for immigrants so long as they qualify, regardless of their immigration status. Senator Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) has also proposed a bill that would prohibit businesses from refusing to provide service on the basis of citizenship or immigration status.

Will this bill package help spur federal immigration action? Would you change anything about the bills proposed?

Guests:

Polo Morales, political director for CHIRLA, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles

Joe Guzzardi, national media director for CAPS, Californians for Population Stabilization