State Attorney General Rob Bonta on Friday met with immigrant rights groups and elected officials in San Diego to discuss his office's efforts to protect California's immigrant communities.
The meeting was the fifth and final regional meeting throughout the state where Bonta shared resources to let immigrants know their rights under the law. These resources, available in multiple languages, can be found at oag.ca.gov/immigrant/resources.
"We've been preparing for this day for months — hearing concerns through these regional convenings and issuing guidance for immigrants, local law enforcement, prosecutors, school officials and public institutions, all in anticipation of the president attempting to see through his destructive immigration agenda," Bonta said. "I'm disappointed but not surprised by the President's executive orders.
"But I want to be clear that California will not waiver in its commitment to upholding the rights and protections of all of our residents, including the nearly 11 million immigrants who call this state home. We hear your concerns, and we will continue to use the full force of the law and tools of this office to stand up for you."
Bonta heard from several immigrant rights activists who are worried that cities like El Cajon and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department may not follow sanctuary laws.
Chair of the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium, Ian Seruelo, specifically mentioned Sheriff Kelly Martinez’s recent decision to ignore a San Diego County policy aimed at limiting the transfer of people from local jails to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“Our main issue is that the sheriff, within hours of the passage of such resolution, made a declaration that she will not abide by that policy,” Seruelo told Bonta.
Adrianna Jasso, of American Friends Service Committee referenced El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells’ efforts to pass a resolution to assist federal immigration agencies as much as possible.
“We are looking for your help and your support to fight back,” Jasso told the state attorney general.
Bonta said his office is closely monitoring each situation.
“We are monitoring compliance or lack thereof and if there is a failure to comply, we will act,” he said.
He also called Wells’ resolution, “performative,” while pointing out that city mayors cannot rewrite state law.
“The state of California makes the law for the state of California and it must be followed by cities,” Bonta said. “So whatever they do, it might be symbolic for them, performative for them, but it’s not the law. It’s not enforceable.”
Additionally, Bonta's office backed students' rights as well, allowing anyone to receive an education regardless of immigration status.
Finally, the attorney general warned of several scams targeting immigrants, advising them not to give money or personal information to anyone calling, texting or emailing you, as "no federal or state agency, including USCIS, will ever ask for your personal information or payment over the phone, by email or text."
"If you need help applying for immigration relief, be careful who you hire," a statement from Bonta's office read. "Watch out for immigration scams that can cost you thousands of dollars and/or harm your immigration status."
Free legal aid organizations can be found at lawhelpca.org.
If you believe your rights have been violated, report it to the California Department of Justice at oag.ca.gov/report. If you believe you were subject to discrimination, harassment or retaliation, report it to the California Civil Rights Department at calcivilrights.ca.gov/complaintprocess/.
