Senator Hueso Denounces San Diego County Board of Supervisors’ Decision to File Amicus Brief in Support of Trump Lawsuit Against California

April 17, 2018

San Diego, CA – April 17, 2018 – Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego), Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, today issued the following statement in response to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors’ decision to file an amicus brief in support of the Trump Administration’s lawsuit against the State of California over three of its “sanctuary state” laws:
 
“As Chair of the Latino Legislative Caucus, I am extremely disappointed by the shortsighted and partisan decisions of a few cities and counties to join the Trump Administration’s campaign against the California Values Act and associated immigration laws. Today’s decision by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors is the most upsetting to me, though, because it literally hits home.
 
These laws keep our residents safe by reinforcing a relationship of trust between California’s immigrant community and state and local agencies. Nothing in SB 54 prevents law enforcement from arresting, incarcerating or punishing criminals. Nor does SB 54 prevent deporting immigrants who commit a crime. The message the County is sending by taking this action is that they not only support using public safety as a deporting force, but that they have done it prior to SB 54. This is not only a misappropriation of taxpayer dollars but a poor policy.
 
San Diego is one of the most diverse regions in the State, and the Supervisors’ decision today exemplifies just how out of touch they are with the community they purport to represent. Even though the filing period for amicus briefs has passed, this decision nevertheless sends a message to the residents of San Diego County – that the Supervisors do not understand or appreciate the myriad benefits that California’s immigrant population provides.  
 
My colleagues and I will not stop fighting to preserve these laws, and to prevent the Trump Administration from using our state and local law enforcement resources as pawns in its efforts to fear monger, tear apart families and deport hardworking residents of California."

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Contact: Erin Hickey / (619) 409-7690 / erin.hickey@sen.ca.gov