California Becomes Sanctuary State

Senator Leon 

California Becomes a Sanctuary State

 Governor Jerry Brown just signed into law SB 54, the "California Values Act", which built upon the landmark Trust Act to help protect California immigrant residents from deportations.

Immigrant communities around the state led the fight for the bill, which is considered a "foundation" for greater justice; it continues to build community and state-level resistance to the White House attacks against the growing "sanctuary" movement among communities, institutions and local and state governments. The California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC) has provided a detailed analysis of the bill, which, among other provisions, does away with several local deportation practices, such as local police arrests for "civil immigrant warrants", and it helps to ensure that spaces like schools, health facilities, courthouses and other spaces are safe and accessible. See the graphic chart on the bill here.

With today’s signing of SB 54 into law, one of the most important parts of that legal wall of protections is now in place. Donald Trump and Jeff Sessions will not be able to use California’s own law enforcement officials in an effort to round up and deport our fellow Californians

Last month, Sessions called California’s sanctuary state bill “unconscionable.” Other federal officials also have sounded off against SB 54, suggesting illegal immigration is tied to increases in violent crime.

Throughout his campaign and in his tenure as president, Trump has tried to make the same connection, showcasing the relatives of people killed by immigrants in the country illegally. And one of his earliest executive orders put cities and counties on alert that they would lose federal funding if law enforcement did not cooperate with immigration agents.

Pass SB 54: Call Governor Brown today

Californians from across the state are rallying at the State Capitol to pass the California Values Act (SB 54).

Under the California Values Act, no state and local resources will be used for immigration enforcement, and schools, hospitals, and courthouses will remain safe spaces for all Californians, regardless of immigration status.

California is poised to lead the nation in protecting our families and communities. But the California Sheriffs Association is placing enormous pressure on Governor Brown and the state legislature to kill it. We need to be loud and unified to pass SB 54. Will you add your voice to the those rallying in Sacramento by making a call today?

Call Governor Jerry Brown or your Assembly member at 1-844-336-0046. This number will lead you to high priority Assembly members or Gov. Brown, depending on your zip code.

Support Immigrants' Rights - Tues. Sacramento

When Donald Trump set his anti-immigrant agenda in motion, California lawmakers and Gov. Brown were among the first to stand up and say: Not in our state. We need to make sure they put their words into action now. California sheriffs are ramping up their opposition to the California Values Act (S.B. 54), and Trump’s racist administration is doubling down on its threats to punish states that refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement. Now it seems that California lawmakers and Gov. Brown are caving to the opposition’s pressure and trying to water down the bill. To get all of the immigrant protections in S.B. 54 on the books, we must be relentless in our activism and show up in force on Sept. 7. Click here to RSVP Event Name: Show up for Immigrants and the CA Values Act in Sacramento What: 9:00 a.m.: Rally in front of the Capitol Building. 10:00 a.m.: March to the California Sheriffs' Association (1231 I St #200, Sacramento, CA 95814). Noon: Petition delivery at Gov. Brown's office. Where: California State Capitol, 1315 10th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 When: Thursday, Sept. 7 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Trump’s war on immigrants is escalating. Last week, he pardoned the country’s number one racial profiler, former Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who abused thousands of immigrants in his horrific “Tent City” detention camp. And now, Trump is seriously considering ending Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – a highly successful program that has given opportunity and peace of mind to nearly 1 million immigrants who came to the country as children.  California passing S.B. 54 could shift the momentum. The California Values Act would build a firewall between local police and immigration enforcement, prohibit state agencies and employees from sharing information about an individual’s immigration status with the federal government and, most importantly, it would serve as model legislation for other states resisting Trump’s hateful, anti-immigrant regime.  Will you join us in Sacramento for the Sept. 7 day of action? Click on the link below to RSVP. https://act.credoaction.com/go/15747?t=7&akid=24749%2E8984057%2EJLhuYC Thank you for all you do, Nicole Regalado, Campaign Manager CREDO Action from Working Assets

Sponsored by Sacramento Immigration Coalition and others.  

People's Hearing SB 4- Sanctuary for California

Assembly Committee Passes SB 54 - Sanctuary

Today the Assembly Committee on the Judiciary passed SB-54, the California Values Act, that places limits on California cites, police, and counties to not cooperate with federal ICE agents.  This bill next goes to the full Assembly.

 The California Values Act cleared another major hurdle last week when it passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee with overwhelming support. Our calling campaign has been going on for five months, and we have the momentum to pass SB 54 into law. We have to keep the pressure on.

SB 54 passed  the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Wed, July 5. 

If you live in the Sacramento region, call Assemblyperson Jim Cooper (Elk Grove) (916) 319-2009  and Assembly person Ken Cooley, (suburban Sacramento) (916) 319-2008. . Jim Cooper is a co sponsor of the bill. Insist that there not be further weakening amendments to the bill. 

See posts below for more information. 

 Until that happens and the bill passes, we need to continue to make clear our demands for protection for our immigrant friends, neighbors, and family members. Our broken and severely outdated immigration system criminalizes immigrant communities that contribute greatly to the great state of California, and to our country as a whole. This harsh, punitive system allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to separate, detain, and deport hard working people—and local and state resources are devoted to helping ICE do just that.

Sen. De León: The California Values Act (SB54) Press Conference Today

Support SB 54: The Sanctuary Bill

Yesterday, the Assembly Public Safety Committee passed SB 54 by a 5-2 vote! Now it's time to call Governor Brown. Please call Governor Brown this week to urge passage of a strong SB 54, the California Values Act.

Mayor, Activists, Protest ICE Forum with Sheriff Jones

Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg took aim Monday at Sheriff Scott Jones’ decision to host a public forum with the nation’s top immigration enforcement official, calling the decision “cynical” and “mean.”

Steinberg said he will be joined by a large group of protesters before the Tuesday forum with Jones and acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Thomas Homan. Labor unions, faith leaders and pro-immigrant groups are expected at the vigil, while state Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León is expected to attend the forum.

“This is the worst time for an elected official to organize such a forum to stoke the fears of people, people who are already afraid,” Steinberg said. “We’re going to make it clear that the people of Sacramento stand with those who are just trying to make a place for themselves in our great country and in our great state.”


Read more here: ht

tp://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article141063718.html#storylink=cpy

“We wanted to come here to send a very clear message: (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is not welcomed here,” said Salvador Sarmiento of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network.

See more below

Sacramento Marches Demand State Sanctuary Law

Duane Campbell
Over 1,500  marchers from around California descended on the Capitol on Wednesday  March 15,  seeking to pass SB 54: The California Values Act which would significantly prohibit local law enforcement from coordination with federal immigration agents.  While many cities and counties have sanctuary policies, this bill would  make it a state law and shield many immigrants from mass deportation efforts of the federal authorities. The bill is strongly opposed by the Association of County Sheriffs who manage county jails and receive federal funds for their cooperation.

  The massive demonstration on Wednesday was organized primarily by PICO of California and supported by immigrant rights organizations up and down the state.  The events began at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacramento in Sacramento, and then marchers proceeded to the Capitol to hear a rousing support speech from the President of the California Senate Kevin de León.

PICO is a structured multi racial organizing project with roughly equal participation and leadership from African American, Mexican, Latino, and Anglo religious traditions.

After singing civil rights songs in English and Spanish, and hearing speeches, the crowd entered to Capitol chanting One People: One Fight.  Delegations to legislative office insisted on the passage of SB 54, and SB 6 that would provide funds for legal defense of immigrants, as well as SB 31, the Religious Freedom Act which would prohibit any state agency from collecting information on religious affiliation and sharing that federal authorities – such as in creating a Muslim list.