Statewide — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra used a May 27 virtual forum hosted by American Community Media (ACoM) to highlight his experience in state and federal government while outlining proposals on immigration, health care, housing affordability and homelessness ahead of California’s June 2 election.

The event was part of ACoM’s California Gubernatorial Race Series, which gives ethnic and community media reporters an opportunity to question candidates on issues affecting communities across the state.

The discussion was moderated by ACoM Associate Editor Pilar Marrero and focused on immigration, health care and affordability before opening to questions from journalists.

Becerra, a former California Attorney General, longtime member of Congress and U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services from 2021 to 2025, is seeking to become California’s next governor.

According to a biography provided by organizers, Becerra has spent more than three decades in public service, including helping pass the Affordable Care Act, serving as California attorney general and leading the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

In opening remarks, Becerra framed his campaign as an effort to restore economic opportunity for working families.

“I believe California is hungry for a governor who can reignite a sense of possibility,” Becerra said. “That’s why this campaign has always been about one conviction, that working hard should be enough to help you build something that lasts.”

Immigration emerged as one of the central topics during the discussion. When asked how California should respond to renewed federal immigration crackdowns, Becerra said he would use the same legal strategies he employed as attorney general during President Donald Trump’s first administration.

“I will certainly work closely with Attorney General Rob Bonta to protect the interests of our families,” Becerra said. “We’ll stand up as we have in the past.”

He also criticized recent federal immigration enforcement actions, arguing that immigration agencies must comply with constitutional protections.

“ICE, while it’s a federal agency, still must obey the Constitution,” Becerra said. “It still must respect state laws when it goes beyond its jurisdiction.”

On health care, Becerra rejected claims that he had moved away from supporting a single-payer system, saying his position has remained consistent throughout his political career.

“I never backed away,” Becerra said. “I’ve been consistent throughout my career in public service.”

He pointed to his work helping pass the Affordable Care Act and later defending the law as California attorney general.

Housing affordability was another major focus. Becerra said that if elected, one of his first actions would be declaring a state of emergency related to housing production.

“I have said that upon taking office, I will declare a state of emergency in the state when it comes to housing,” Becerra said.

He said roughly 40,000 housing units across California are ready for construction but lack financing and pledged to work with the Legislature to move those projects forward.

He also proposed temporarily freezing utility rates and homeowners insurance premiums while reviewing rising costs.

Becerra addressed concerns about homelessness, arguing that California should place greater emphasis on prevention while demanding accountability from programs receiving state funding.

“We will demand accountability to make sure that when a program is stood up, that it’s delivering results,” he said. “It must have clear outcomes and documented outcomes of helping people leave the streets.”

He added that successful programs should be expanded while ineffective programs should be discontinued.

During the question-and-answer portion, Becerra was asked about arts funding, federal-state relations, immigrant access to health care and conditions inside immigration detention facilities.

Becerra said he would seek to preserve access to Medi-Cal and continue opposing policies he believes harm immigrant communities.

“If you work hard in California, it makes no difference to me where you come from or how long you’ve been here,” Becerra said. “If you’re working hard, you deserve to have access to the health care that you need.”

In his closing remarks, Becerra returned to his personal story as the son of Mexican immigrants and argued that his background and experience make him prepared to lead the state.

“I know what it means to be the son of a working-class home,” Becerra said. “I am going to make full use of every lever of government as governor to protect the families that were just like my parents.”

Becerra said Californians need a governor ready to address challenges immediately, citing his experience managing large government agencies and litigating against the Trump administration.

“I will not need training wheels when I become governor,” he said. “I hope that I can then ignite that dream because it is still something that too many families deserve to have.”