Supporters of the so-called 'sanctuary state' bill are pitching their idea to lawmakers in LA today. Senate Leader Kevin de Leon says the bill would block local police from using any of their resources to help federal authorities find illegal immigrants.
"It doesn't allow the federal government to commandeer local police officers to be an extension of the Trump deportation machine."
De Leon introduced SB 54 as a way to help help improve trust between illegal immigrants and local police departments. The bill has already made it through the state senate and is currently make its way through Assembly committees.
With some exceptions, the bill would prohibit state and local law enforcement agencies (including school police and security departments), from using their resources to investigate, interrogate, detain, detect, or arrest persons for immigration enforcement purposes, as specified.
The law builds on a previous law passed by the legislature and signed by Jerry Brown known as the California Trust Act. Law enforcement agencies are prevented from dragging their feet for minor crimes, which could allow federal immigration authorities to take them into custody.
SB 54 wouldn't prevent local authorities from working with task forces, just the ones that were dedicated to immigration enforcement.