Insurance Commissioner Lara issues statement on U.S. Supreme Court upholding DACA program
News: 2020 Press Release
En Español below
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that gives work authorization to approximately 700,000 young people, including nearly 200,000 born abroad but raised in California. Under Senate Bill 788 (Chapter 487, Statutes of 2017), authored by Commissioner Lara when he was a member of the California State Senate, a DACA recipient who holds an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) can apply for and be issued a California insurance agent license.
"DACA has given nearly 200,000 California Dreamers equal opportunity to put their education and skills to work in all fields, including insurance. Thanks to this program, California’s essential workforce includes Dreamers who have risked their lives to provide health care, child care, food, public safety, and senior care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold this valuable program will contribute to California’s economic engine and our overall prosperity. I will continue to work to open doors within the insurance sector to our Dreamers and other diverse communities, so the industry can be more responsive to the needs of all Californians.”
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Declaración del comisionado de seguros Lara sobre decisión de la Corte Suprema manteniendo el programa DACA
LOS ÁNGELES, Calif. — El Comisionado de Seguros, Ricardo Lara, emitió la siguiente declaración después de que la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos confirmara el programa de Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA) que autoriza el empleo a aproximadamente 700 mil jóvenes, incluyendo casi 200 mil nacidos en el extranjero y criados en California. Bajo la ley 788 del Senado (Capítulo 487, Estatutos de 2017), presentada por el Comisionado Lara cuando era miembro del Senado estatal de California, un beneficiario de DACA que posee un Número de Identificación Fiscal Individual (ITIN) puede solicitar y obtener una licencia como agente de seguros en California.
"DACA ha brindado a casi 200 mil soñadores de California la misma oportunidad de poner su educación y habilidades a trabajar en todos los campos, incluyendo el de seguros. Gracias a este programa, la fuerza laboral esencial de California incluye a los soñadores que han arriesgado sus vidas para brindar atención médica, cuidado infantil, alimentos y cuidado de ancianos durante la pandemia de COVID-19. La decisión de la Corte Suprema de mantener este valioso programa contribuirá al motor económico de California y a nuestra prosperidad. Continuaré trabajando para abrir puertas dentro de la industria de seguros a nuestros soñadores y otras comunidades diversas, para que la industria pueda responder mejor a las necesidades de todos los californianos".
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Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.