California lawmakers approve 'sanctuary state' bill

A border fence near Campo, California
(Image credit: David McNew/Getty Images)

California lawmakers on Saturday voted in favor of a so-called "sanctuary state" bill aimed at improving protections for immigrants. The bill, known as SB54, bans law enforcement officials from asking about the immigration status of people under arrest, and prevents local police from being "deputized as immigration agents," The Associated Press reports. There are an estimated 2.3 million undocumented immigrants in California, and Republicans opposed to the measure say it will protect criminals.

This month, President Trump announced his plan to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which offered protection for some 800,000 undocumented immigrants brought into the country as children. SB54 now goes to Gov. Jerry Brown (D), who is expected to sign it.

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Jessica Hullinger

Jessica Hullinger is a writer and former deputy editor of The Week Digital. Originally from the American Midwest, she completed a degree in journalism at Indiana University Bloomington before relocating to New York City, where she pursued a career in media. After joining The Week as an intern in 2010, she served as the title’s audience development manager, senior editor and deputy editor, as well as a regular guest on “The Week Unwrapped” podcast. Her writing has featured in other publications including Popular Science, Fast Company, Fortune, and Self magazine, and she loves covering science and climate-related issues.