“The Governor’s signing of these immigration bills sends a clear message to immigration enforcement agencies that students or families should not live in fear for going to school, going to work, seeking medical care or simply living their daily lives. California’s AAPI communities are among those that are most impacted, and we must continue working together to protect our most vulnerable,” said Assemblymember Mike Fong, Chair of the AAPI Legislative Caucus.
“The signing of this immigration bill package is a major win for our communities, delivering stronger protections in the face of egregious immigration raids and escalating authoritarian attacks on our freedoms,” said Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. “These new laws set important guardrails so that immigrant families can feel safe whether they are at school, at the doctor, or in their own neighborhood. The California Latino Legislative Caucus stands proudly alongside the AAPI legislative Caucus, and community leaders who championed this critical legislation, and I thank Governor Newsom for signing them into law.”
“As someone who has seen firsthand the importance of transparency and accountability in law enforcement, I strongly support Governor Newsom signing this legislation,” said Jason P. Houser, Former Chief of Staff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Former CBP Counterterrorism Official & Afghanistan Combat Veteran. “Ensuring that officers are clearly identified, while providing sensible exceptions, helps protect both the public and law enforcement personnel. These are common-sense necessities that safeguard all law enforcement agencies as they keep us safe and protect our communities. Masking discredits law enforcement and disconnects officers from the communities they serve — making all of us less safe. Law enforcement focused on public safety and national security is supported by all Americans, not politically driven quotas and fear campaigns that divide officers from the people they serve. Frankly, these steps shouldn’t even be necessary — but the current White House has chosen to push anti-community and anti-law enforcement policies instead of building an immigration system that works for everyone. These measures not only guard against impersonation but also build the trust that is essential for effective public safety operations.”