California IN BRIEF : SACRAMENTO : Citizenship to Be Required for Job Services

Any person seeking job placement services from state agencies will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship as of Monday. A certified U.S. birth certificate or any of two dozen other documents will be accepted as proof of citizenship. “California is struggling with the costly implications of a failed federal immigration policy,” Gov. Pete Wilson said in a news release. “While we look forward to the federal government implementing real immigration reform, we in California have taken the responsibility of eliminating state services that act as a magnet for illegal immigration.” The new rule is the result of a bill sponsored by Sen. Newton R. Russell (R-Glendale) that was passed by the 1993 Legislature and signed into law by Wilson. Employment services offered by the state include job placement or referrals, job search workshops, job training, counseling, testing and resume writing workshops.