SANTA MARIA, Calif.- A new bill on Capitol Hill could be the answer to the controversial issue of illegal immigration. Local organizations and residents are speaking out about how the new immigration bill could potentially affect thousands of people living here on the Central Coast.
The plan would grant undocumented illegal immigrants temporary legal status to stay in the country if they pass a criminal background check. They also would have to pay a fine and back taxes, as well as learn English. The bill will also beef up border security with unmanned drones. So far, the bill has bipartisan support among the eight senators who drafted it, but still has to go through the Senate.
"One of them is just two-years-old and they say she wakes up from nightmares because she misses her dad," said Hazel Putney, Santa Maria resident.
The issue of immigration hits close to home for Hazel Putney, after her nieces' father was deported to Mexico about a year ago.
"It's not right that they are growing up without him," said Putney.
Hazel's family is not alone. It's estimated that there are 23,000 undocumented workers in Santa Barbara County, that's according to the American Community Survey.
"We don't think about it but a lot of the people getting food on the table are undocumented and unfortunately for them and for us they aren't paying taxes," said Yesenia Decasaus, a Santa Maria resident.
A bipartisan immigration reform bill introduced in Washington Monday could be the answer for many who are working and living in between the shadows, giving a pathway to citizenship for roughly 11 million undocumented workers in the United States.
"Over these 20 years families have been separated, students have been robbed of their livelihood, their potential for a career. It is time to act we are very happy that our lawmakers are recognizing that," said Putney.
The next step in this debate, President Obama will talk about his immigration plan Tuesday in Nevada.
