California Lawmakers Propose Changes to Deportation Program

California lawmakers will decide Tuesday whether to set strict limits on how local law enforcement agencies participate in a controversial federal immigration program, Secure Communities.

By Jorge Rivas Jun 12, 2012

The California Senate Public Safety Committee will decide Tuesday whether to limit how local law enforcement agencies can participate in the controversial federal immigration program, Secure Communities. If AB 1081, also known as the TRUST Act, passes it could be a significant blow to the federal program since over a quarter of S-Comm deportations are currently from California.

The hearing falls one week after Washington, DC became the latest in a string of local governments across the country to adopt policies similar to the TRUST Act and also comes days after the California Catholic Conference – which consists of all ten of the state’s Catholic Bishops – publicly announced its strong support of the bill.

The program has come under criticism for eroding trust between police and immigrant communities, with the fear of deportation and family separation making immigrant victims and witnesses to crimes reluctant to come forward.