A new bill introduced in the California Senate would allow illegal immigrants to serve on all “state and local boards” and hold official positions throughout the Golden State; a further rebuke of the federal government’s crackdown on undocumented workers.

According to the Sacramento Bee, Senate Bill 174 would effectively amend existing legislation to allow any “resident over the age of 18” to hold a “civil office regardless of citizenship or immigration status.”

The state’s current guidelines demand anyone holding office to be a legal citizen of the United States at the time of their appointment.

“California is stronger when we utilize talents of all our residents, and opening state and local boards and commissions to every Californian will allow us to better serve our diverse communities,” Sen. Ricardo Lara, the legislation’s author.

“Undocumented Californians are our neighbors, co-workers and parents, and as lawmakers we can’t make good policy if their voices are left out of the discussion,” he added.

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