California rang in the New Year as a “sanctuary state.” Democratic Governor Jerry Brown signed a controversial bill approved by the California legislature in October of 2017. The law, which officially took effect on January 1, 2018, prevents police in California from asking anyone about his or her immigration status or engaging in most federal immigration enforcement activities. According to Fox News, more than 2.3 million illegal aliens call California home.
The California legislature passed the questionable bill at a time when President Trump was vowing to crack down on sanctuary cities that purposely refuse to work with federal immigration authorities. When he signed the seemingly retaliatory bill into law last year, Governor Brown said, “These are uncertain times for undocumented Californians and their families, and this bill strikes a balance that will protect public safety, while bringing a measure of comfort to those families who are now living in fear every day.”
Not all Californians are happy with their politicians’ stance on illegal aliens. In April of 2017, a sign placed under the Malibu City Limits sign read, “Cheap Nannies and Gardeners Make Malibu Great!”
In November of 2017, illegal immigrant Jose Inez Garcia Zarate, a convicted felon, was acquitted in a California courtroom of manslaughter and murder charges in the 2015 shooting death of Kathryn Steinle. The new California law may protect many more illegal alien criminals like Zarate from receiving the punishment they deserve.
Watch the video clip below to learn more about what California’s affirmation of illegal immigrants means to residents in that state.