Amid its crackdowns on so-called sanctuary cities, the Trump administration has faced backlash from the municipalities that don’t require local law enforcement to implement federal immigration policy. Now, California has passed legislation to become a “sanctuary state.” The Los Angeles Times writes:

 Gov. Jerry Brown signed landmark “sanctuary state” legislation Thursday, vastly limiting who state and local law enforcement agencies can hold, question and transfer at the request of federal immigration authorities.

Senate Bill 54, which takes effect in January, has been blasted as “unconscionable” by U.S. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, becoming the focus of a national debate over how far states and cities can go to prevent their officers from enforcing federal immigration laws. Supporters have hailed it as part of a broader effort by majority Democrats in the California Legislature to shield more than 2.3 million immigrants living illegally in the state.

In response to the bill, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has threatened to step up immigration raids in California. In a statement about California’s decision, ICE acting Director Thomas Homan said Friday that it “will undermine public safety and hinder ICE from performing its federally mandated mission.” Homan added, “ICE will have no choice but to conduct at-large arrests in local neighborhoods and at worksites.”

California’s “sanctuary statehood” does not prevent ICE from enforcing immigration law in the jurisdictions it covers. Gov. Brown wrote: “In enshrining these new protections, it is important to note what the bill does not do. This bill does not prevent or prohibit Immigration and Customs Enforcement or the Department of Homeland Security from doing their own work in any way.”

However, the protections do affect how local law enforcement treat undocumented immigrants. SB54, also known as the California Values Act, prohibits state police officers from inquiring about immigration status in the course of normal law enforcement. It also prevents local and state jail officials from notifying ICE that they are holding an undocumented immigrant.

The ICE statement challenges Brown’s assertion that the bill wouldn’t hamper immigration enforcement:

Many who advocate for immigrants feel California’s declaration of sanctuary is necessary to push back against federal authorities overstepping their bounds. “The California Values Act is a stinging rebuke to the nativism of President Trump and his drive to deport millions,” said Frank Sharry, executive director of America’s Voice, a group that works for immigration reform.

“Trump and Sessions are determined to bully state and local jurisdictions into turning immigrants over to ICE even though it diverts law enforcement from protecting the public,” Sharry said. “With this and other steps, California is declaring that it wants no part in aiding and abetting Trump’s deportation force.”

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#california#homeland security#ice#immigration#jerry brown#sanctuary cities