On Thursday, Congressman Jimmy Panetta held a press conference in Salinas to share with the community his proposed legislation, the Immigrant Victim Protection Act, which he will introduce in Congress next week.
According to the office for the congressman representing San Benito County:
The bill would increase the number of “U” and “T” Visas designated for undocumented immigrant witnesses and victims of violent crimes and human trafficking who are cooperating with law enforcement and living in the United States. The bill would prevent those undocumented individuals from being deported while awaiting the determination and processing of their visas, and allow them to be issued work authorization permits within a statutory timeline.
Congressman Panetta was joined at the Salinas press conference by Monterey County District Attorney Dean Flippo and Salinas Chief of Police Adele Fresé. Testimony from local U Visa recipients was also shared.
