Domestic Violence (Politics of Literacy): A new law to protect immigrant victims
Californians were looking for a solution for undocumented immigrants’ lack of reporting because they’re afraid of deportation; A new bill, The California “Sanctuary State” bill or California Values Act, known as SB 54 was presented by the Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon on December 5, 2016 (FAIR).
The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence or CPEDV are an association that fights to prevent and informs on how to intervene domestic violence in order to end it (CPEDV); They support the SB 54. According to CPEDV, this bill, “Separates federal immigration enforcement from local law enforcement efforts,” decreasing the fear of getting deported of those who want to press charges (CPEDV). They’ve supported the TRUST Act of 2014 that, “Improves critical social contract programs,” (Gallagher) & the TRUTH Act that, “Focuses on transparency and accountability when it comes to collaboration between Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and local police departments,” (CPEDV). Background of supporting other immigrant beneficial acts explain why they would support and partner with other foundations like ACLU and CHIRLA to defend SB 54. However, they don’t acknowledge the negative effects on other problems like illegal immigration or other law violations. This creates the public to have tunnel vision and to exclude the analyzation on other dilemmas this can cause.
Now, Jeff Sessions, an attorney general who was part of the Trump administration until November of 2018, believes the bill interferes with Federal Immigration Authorities. On March of 2018, 2 months after the bill went into effect, through the Orange County, he filed a preemption lawsuit against California for the SB 54. He declares that it, “Intentionally obstruct[s] and discriminate[s] against the enforcement of federal immigration law,” (Justice 1). Sessions believes that, “California attempts to shield from federal law enforcement removable criminal aliens who have committed crimes in the state of California,” (Justice 5). He mentions other laws that shouldn’t have been signed into laws like AB 450 that, “Imposes a state-run inspection and review scheme of the federal detention of aliens held in facilities pursuant to federal contracts,” and AB 103 that, “Prohibits private employers from voluntarily cooperating with federal immigration officials,” (Justice 3 & 6). He made accusations saying, “SB 54, violates 8 USC 1373, a law enacted by Congress, which promotes information sharing related to immigration enforcement,” (Justice 4). He suggests that because the new bill contradicts a higher figure, it shouldn’t be accepted.
Almost a year later, California’s Governor Jerry Brown signed the bill and it went into effect on January 1 of 2018. Other states are also trying to adopt this law. Although, the bill was passed over two years ago, on June, the Ninth Court of Appeals challenged AB 54, but the Supreme Court turned it down. Also, earlier this year, the city of Huntington Beach sued California because they claimed SB 54 was unconstitutional (ACLU). Nonetheless, AB 54 continues with its supporters and encouraging immigrant victims to report.