Legislation to protect Californians’ civil rights and create safeguards for joint federal law enforcement…
SACRAMENTO – SB 1105, The Protect California Rights Act, authored by Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena) was vetoed by Governor Newsom on Wednesday. The legislation would have created greater safeguards and disclosure when state and local law enforcement partner with federal or out-of-state law enforcement.
The urgent need for SB 1105 centered on the recent, ongoing actions of the federal administration that have resulted in discriminatory and retaliatory enforcement actions targeting political opponents, communities of color and immigrant communities.
“This important legislation would have required state and local law enforcement agencies to formally affirm their obligation to follow California law when operating alongside federal agents on joint task forces,” said Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena). “We continue to see examples of federal law enforcement using racial profiling to target people and that is unlawful under California law. This legislation would have required agencies to put that obligation in writing through a public memorandum of understanding to draw a clear line that California law enforcement will not participate in situations that violate state law during joint operations. By establishing these expectations before operations begin, the measure would have protected Californians from unlawful profiling and being targeted for protected activity, while deterring unlawful conduct.”
Last year, President Trump issued NSPM-7 (National Security Presidential Memorandum) which empowered federal law enforcement to arrest and prosecute political opponents by labeling them as domestic terrorists. The language of NSPM-7 identifies "anti-fascism," "anti-Christianity," and "hostility to traditional views on family" as indicators of extremism. SB 1105 would have protected Californians from racial or identity profiling or from being targeted for constitutionally protected speech, and other conduct that would violate civil rights protections.
It was sponsored by the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles and ACLU California Action that released the following joint statement:
“We are deeply disappointed in the Governor’s veto of SB 1105, the Protect California Rights Act. We know that the Trump Administration has weaponized joint terrorist task forces to pursue Californians based on their constitutionally protected political and religious beliefs. These task forces use our state and local resources to target and threaten our community members and retaliate against rapid responders who are holding ICE accountable.
“The Legislature sent a clear message to the Governor that existing laws were not enough to prevent the rampant abuse from these task forces, with local law enforcement participants often breaking California’s laws against racial profiling and use of force. California had the opportunity to lead in protecting its residents, but Governor Newsom has left his state’s residents vulnerable to their rights being trampled by the federal government.”
Additionally, CHIRLA made the following comment:
"We are deeply disappointed by Governor Newsom's veto of SB 1105 (Pérez), the Protect California Rights Act. At a time when immigrant communities are experiencing unprecedented fear and distrust of immigration enforcement, California must ensure that collaboration between local law enforcement and federal authorities does not come at the expense of the rights, safety, and dignity of our communities. SB 1105 (Pérez) would have established critical safeguards for California law enforcement agencies working alongside federal authorities, including protections against racial and identity profiling and greater accountability around interagency cooperation. Throughout the legislative process, we listened to concerns from law enforcement and took significant amendments to address those concerns while preserving the protections our communities need. That is why the Governor's veto is especially disappointing. It leaves immigrant communities more vulnerable at a moment when these protections are urgently needed. Our communities deserve to know that the people entrusted with keeping them safe will respect their rights and treat them with dignity. California should be leading the way in building that trust, not leaving communities with greater uncertainty and fear," said Angelica Salas, Executive Director, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA).
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Senator Sasha Renée Pérez is Chair of the Senate Education Committee and represents the 25th Senate District that includes the communities of Glendale, Pasadena, Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, Claremont, Glendora, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta-Montrose, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Temple City, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, and San Antonio Heights.
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