The democratically-led Congressional efforts to protect immigrants from the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation efforts, the so-called attacks on sanctuary states, promises to be one of the most controversial issues during the sessions that are expected to focus on public safety.
In addition to immigration, efforts to implement the tough criminal voting measures approved by voters in November are Proposition 36, and funding its drug treatment components is expected to create the biggest rift between Democrats and Republican lawmakers, and efforts to combat human trafficking may be one of the concerns that both parties may find a common position.
“Everyone in this building is listening clearly in the voices of voters,” Schultz said. “They are not safe, but we can’t lose sight of the need for our judicial system to be fair,” said Nick Schultz (D-Burbank), chairman of his chamber of commerce’s public safety commission.
Jesse Allegui (D-Belkelly), his democratic counterpart on the Public Safety Commission for Schulz and his state Senator, hopes that California lawmakers will fight to protect both Californians and progressive ideology from aggressive attacks from the Trump administration, they have focused on concerns about this year’s death and crime concerns.
President Trump threatened to withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities and states such as California. The California Values Act, also known as Senate Bill 54, came into effect in 2018, restricts the way state police work with federal immigration enforcement, preventing police from investigating or arresting people for immigration enforcement purposes.
“I don’t know what the problem is,” said Arreguin, chairman of the Senate Public Safety Commission. “I think the law is clear and I think the law has been balanced.”
Arreguín and Schultz expect Republicans and Democrats to agree on issues related to human trafficking and to issues related to untraceable ghost gun sales, but will likely divide issues such as immigration.
SB 554 Senate minority leader Brian W. Jones (R-Santee) is an effort to overhaul the Sanctuary Act. The bill aims to “prevent violent criminals from being protected” by federal immigration authorities. The bill would also prohibit jurisdictions from adding further restrictions beyond what current sanctuary law allows. Deputy Sheriff’s assn. I support the San Diego County bill.
“This is a simple reform to strengthen policies in California’s sanctuary states and support better public safety,” Jones said at a press conference this month.
Sen. Rosiliciie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa), co-author of the bill, said that by ensuring that violent offenders are not protected from federal authorities, it creates a “safe environment” for everyone, including other undocumented families.
Charis Kubrin, a criminology professor at UC Irvine, found in the investigation that the state’s sanctuary state laws did not cause an increase in crime, saying he was concerned that criminal policy was based on “moral panic and fear.”
“If you’re worried about crime and want to strengthen public safety, targeting immigrants as a solution to a crime problem is a fool’s errand,” she said.
Under California’s Sanctuary State Law, local law enforcement can notify federal immigration agents of someone’s upcoming release. Additionally, if you have a specific conviction that includes many felony or high-level misdemeanors, you can transfer them to immigration custody. State prison officials are required to provide written notice, although there are no restrictions on who can be transferred to immigration custody.
Immigration bills brought by Democrats include Senate Bill 48, introduced by Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach). It aims to enhance protection for families with K-12 children, impose regulations regarding federal immigration officials’ interactions with schools, and to protect student data to federal officials without a warrant.
Arreguín Senate Bill 81 restricts immigration officers’ access to hospitals and limits available information.
“I really believe that healthcare is a fundamental human right and that we should not prevent people from accessing important healthcare because we fear being arrested and deported,” he said.
Both Public Safety Commission chairs also said implementing Prop. 36 will be one of Congress’s top priorities this year.
The overwhelming majority of voters passed the measure in November. This reformed a pivotal 2014 law that committed several low-level, non-violent property and drug offences, including theft of goods under $950 and stealing misdemeanors in lieu of a felony.
Schultz, who spent time in the Attorney General’s office before Congress and supported part of Proposition 36 as mayor of Burbank, expressed concern about the drug court’s elements, particularly the promise that individuals convicted of a third drug-related crime could choose treatment over prisons. Testimony during legislative hearings last month showed that some counties are not ready for the expected influx of cases and lack the funds needed to support treatment.
Schultz said voters were sold on a promise he wasn’t sure.
He introduced a small number of bills, including two related to public safety. This provides a more authority to the court to decide when to claim a misdemeanor offence, as well as another bill focusing on adult release and parolee rehabilitation.
“Proposal 36 was presented as a potential solution. What about that? I don’t know,” Allegane said.
Arreguín, a district that includes Auckland, said the rise in crime was a major concern for his members and wanted more police and more accountability. He faces the challenge of balancing safety with the need to avoid a setback in prison reform.
“How do you keep the community safe without retreating?” he asked.
Public safety bills introduced by Republicans include classifying rape or sexual assault in people with developmental disabilities as a felony for people with developmental disabilities, and adding cyaneptine, also known as “gas station heroin,” to the list of Schedule I substances.
Over the past two years, Maga conservative Bakersfield Republican MP Shannon Grove has earned political points after passing two bills that have produced stiffer penalties for the sale and purchase of child sex trafficking. This year, she is reviving the third bill with former federal prosecutor co-author rally Maggy Krell (D-Sacramento). The proposed law would make loiter to buy sex and ensure that the crime of sexually purchasing a minor applies if it is under the age of 18.
Gun control remains a top priority for lawmakers. Senate Bill 704, introduced by Arreguín, regulates the sale of gun barrels to curb the rise of ghost guns. Arreguín emphasized that people are “becoming creative” to avoid current laws.
Both Arreguín and Schultz know that they are taking part in the “hard” tasks.
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