The California State Senate passed the TRUST Act today aimed at countering the strict deportation policies implemented by the federal government under its “Secure Communities” program.
Its sponsors contrast the common-sense tone of the California bill with the harsh law passed in Arizona, much of which was overruled by the U.S. Supreme Court last week.
The TRUST Act will eventually be sent to Gov. Jerry Brown to sign. The bill responds to and repudiates the state’s forced participation in the program enforced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Securities, which has led to the incarceration and deportation of tens of thousands of undocumented residents in California who have committed no crimes.
Supported by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and an array of local police and religious leaders, the new state law is aimed at restoring trust in law enforcement and reducing costs to the state of needless arrests and processing.
The TRUST Act sets a minimum standard for how California localities respond to national immigration authorities’ voluntary hold requests and creates safeguards against racial profiling inherent in the federal and Arizona programs.
