Democrats in the California Senate have called for legislation establishing
California as the first state to become a so-called “
sanctuary state.” Currently, some cities and counties hold themselves out as sanctuary
communities, meaning that their local law enforcement officials do not
cooperate with federal immigration officials in most instances. Several
of California’s largest cities already have adopted sanctuary policies.
In these communities, local governments take steps to protect their residents
who are living in the U.S. without proper legal status, and to encourage
immigrants to report crimes as they occur, with the ultimate goal of a
safer community. If California were to become a sanctuary state, it theoretically
would provide a safe haven for immigrants without legal status, offer
funds to obtain legal assistance for immigrants facing removal, and thwart
any attempts by the federal government to create a Muslim registry. This
legislative move comes on the heels of Trump’s executive order regarding
sanctuary communities, which prohibits the award of federal funds to those
cities and counties that bar their law enforcement authorities from assisting
federal immigration authorities in most cases. Under this order, California
stands to lose about $1.2 billion in federal funding, which the state
currently uses to provide services such as housing, healthcare, and other
social services. Legislators drafted the bill aimed at preventing the
creation of a Muslim registry soon after Trump’s first travel ban,
which temporarily prohibited immigrants from seven largely Muslim countries
from entering the U.S. With the fate of sanctuary cities and communities
nationwide hanging in the balance, immigrants may increasingly be looking
at detention and removal. Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C. is an Oakland
immigration law firm who dedicates its efforts to advocating on behalf
of immigrants charged with removal by federal immigration authorities.
We know that you and your family want to remain in the U.S., and you need
the strongest
deportation defense
possible in order to do so. Allow us to develop a winning strategy in
your immigration case and work toward avoiding deportation. Contact us
today to schedule your
consultation
and learn about the different avenues of relief that are available to you.
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