California State Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones is leading the effort behind a bill to overhaul California’s sanctuary city law.
Jones (R-Santee) held a press conference outside the County Administration building Friday, introducing Senate Bill 554 alongside San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, among others.
The bill proposes barring local jurisdictions from restricting cooperation with immigration officials beyond what current sanctuary law allows and mandates cooperation with federal immigration authorities for specific violent crimes, according to Jones.
The proposed legislation attempts to counter SB 54, which since 2017 has allowed local and state law enforcement agencies to limit their involvement in immigration enforcement. It comes on the heels of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors’ December 3-1 vote to restrict the use of county resources for federal immigration crackdowns.
“My colleagues chose to spend $5 million per year and (provide) legal defense for illegal aliens to prevent their being deported, even though many of them were known felons,” Anderson said.
“Under federal law, they can never become U.S. citizens, and yet we’re squandering money from the homeless and from other social issues to protect these folks.”
Protesters gather to oppose state Sen. Brian Jones’ SB 554. (Photo by Tessa Balc/Times of San Diego)Protesters started gathering before Jones took to the podium, which displayed the slogan “Safety Before Sanctuary.” Over 30 people stood behind a line of sheriff’s deputies, chanting throughout the remarks.
“Anybody that’s going to truthfully come and argue with me about a common sense solution of getting rid of violent criminals – there’s no platform that you have that says that’s a good idea,” said Bianco, who announced a run for governor on Wednesday.
Many supporters of Jones’ bill made note of the protestors, with some speaking directly to them.
“I’m afraid some of the folks that are protesting this morning didn’t read to find out what the bill actually does,” Jones said. “Our measure does two simple things to protect the public from criminal illegal immigrants.”
Frances Yasmeen Motiwalla, a local political organizer, held a sign that read “immigrant nation.” She said that her parents’ status as immigrants is what pushed her to speak out.
“I came to make sure that the public sees that the community does not agree,” she said.
While studies have shown that sanctuary cities do not experience higher levels of violent crime, supporters of the bill said that the measures would protect both citizens and those without documents.
“Not only does SB 554 prohibit radical ordinances like San Diego’s, but it also requires law enforcement to cooperate with immigration officials for the heinous felonies that are currently optional,” Jones said.
Bill Wells, the mayor of El Cajon, where the City Council voted to affirm its non-sanctuary city status last week, also stood with Jones.
“It’s a new dawn in America and this is what the people want,” Wells said as protesters chanted in the background, “No va pasa,” which translates to “It’s not happening.”
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