CA Governor Agrees to New Protections for Immigrants

California Governor Jerry Brown has agreed to legislation that would provide significant protections for immigrants residing with the state of California. Specifically, the bill prohibits state and local law enforcement authorities from asking about an individual’s immigration status or enforcing federal immigration laws. However, the bill does permit police officers to work on federal task forces, so long as they don’t focus on immigration enforcement activities. Furthermore, law enforcement authorities also have the authority to notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if they detain individuals who have been convicted of specified serious crimes, including battery, assault, and sex crimes. ICE agents also have the authority to interview immigrants detained in local jails and access state databases in order to review an immigrant’s criminal history. California has already been a leader in the U.S. in terms of passing legislation to protect immigrants living in the state with no legal immigration status. San Francisco, along with some other cities across the country, also are enacting regulations and policies that prohibit state and local law enforcement authorities from cooperating with ICE agents to enforce federal immigration laws. These moves have prompted the Trump administration to threaten to withhold federal funding to those cities and counties that refuse to cooperate, which also has set off litigation in the federal court system. The state of California has taken important steps to protect immigrants from deportation to the best of its ability. Nonetheless, there may come a time in the near future when you need help with various legal matters, including representation in deportation proceedings. The deportation defense lawyers of Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C., pride themselves on aggressively representing the interests of those immigrants who are facing potential deportation by American immigration authorities. Our goal is to gather evidence in your favor, build on a strong case on your behalf, and develop a strategy that is best designed to help you remain in the United States and move on with your life. The earlier we can get started with your case, the more likely you are to prevail in your deportation proceedings. Don’t hesitate to contact us today and learn what we can do to assist you.