Congressional Representatives Urge Brown to Sign Immigration Bill
Chris Megerian, Los Angeles Times, August 14, 2013
Twenty-eight of California’s congressional representatives are throwing their weight behind state legislation that would make it harder to deport immigrants who are in the country illegally.
The representatives–all Democrats, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco–sent a letter to Gov. Jerry Brown urging him to sign the bill if it reaches his desk.
The bill, known as the Trust Act, “establishes a bright line standard between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement” and would “continue California’s proud tradition of being a leader on smart and sensible policies,” the letter says.
The representatives said unnecessary deportations have “reduced the willingness of immigrant and non-immigrant crime victims and witnesses to cooperate with local law enforcement, and consequently has diminished public safety.”
{snip}
The bill (AB 4), authored by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), would limit local law enforcement’s role in working with federal authorities to begin deportation proceedings.
{snip}
