Bill to combat human trafficking passes
SACRAMENTO --- California's State Assembly voted May 31 to pass AB22 --- comprehensive state legislation to eliminate human trafficking and modern-day slave practices in the state. The California Trafficking Victims' Protection Act, which passed 57-11, combines criminal and civil remedies. It makes human trafficking a felony in California, gives law enforcement authorities the ability to prosecute cases, and opens existing social services to victims. With its large immigrant population, California has one of the highest incidences of human trafficking in the country. A study by UC Berkeley Human Rights Center has identified 57 forced labor operations in almost a dozen California cities, involving more than 500 individuals from 18 countries. The legislation will next be heard in the California State Senate.

Parishioners express opposition, support on immigration bills
LOS ANGELES --- Several hundred parishioners of Resurrection Church in East Los Angeles recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of the canonization of St. Toribio Ramos of Mexico, whom many revere as the patron saint of immigrants. Following a Mass May 21, parishioners processed with Father Luis Angel Nieto, associate pastor, to a mailbox where more than 100 letters were mailed to elected officials. The letters are critical of the federal Real ID Act which sets tougher standards for issuing driver's license, but supportive of a bi-partisan immigration reform bill which includes provisions for worker visas, family reunification and a pathway for immigrants living here illegally to become lawful residents. "We will continue to have people immigrating to the United States until we look at the root causes of poverty in Latin American countries," said Father Nieto.