Assemblyman Luis Alejo traveled to El Salvador to meet with political leaders in Watsonville’s sister city, San Pedro Masahuat.
“Diplomatic ties between California and El Salvador are extremely important,” Alejo, D-Salinas, said in a statement.
He said nearly one million Salvadorans live in California – which makes it “crucial” to learn about El Salvador’s people and culture.
Alejo’s office noted that while in El Salvador, he spoke to television and radio programs about his recently passed bills to raise California’s minimum wage and to allow undocumented immigrants to apply for driver’s licenses.
“Being that Salvadorans are the second largest Latino population in California, raising the minimum wage and allowing undocumented immigrants the opportunity to drive legally will allow hardworking Salvadorans to do what they seek most: contribute their fair share,” he said in the statement.
Alejo’s office reported to the Free Lance that the assemblyman paid for his own flights and hotel on the trip, but his office could not confirm if he also paid for his own meals.