California Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday signed into law a bill that goes further than any other legislation in the country toward creating a statewide sanctuary policy. SB 54, by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León, D-Los Angeles, limits local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities, except when the immigrant has been convicted of certain crimes.
SB 54 will end the practices of local police arrests for “civil immigrant warrants,” using immigration agents as interpreters, local police proactively providing personal information to ICE, and the “287g” deportation agreements. The new law also prohibits cruel, costly, and unconstitutional ICE “holds” in local jails. SB 54 will also help ensure that immigration raids do not take place in public hospitals, schools, health facilities, and courthouses.