Sanctuary states
California lawmakers approve 'sanctuary state' bill
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.