The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed disappointment with Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of Assembly Bill (AB) 1537, which would have barred California law enforcement officers covered by the bill from taking side jobs involving federal or out-of-state immigration enforcement.
Authored by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan and co-sponsored by CAIR-CA as a priority of the ICE Out of California Coalition, AB 1537 would have prohibited local and state law enforcement from taking secondary employment that directly involves the arrest, detention, transportation, or deportation of individuals under federal or out-of-state immigration laws. The bill also included reporting and public-records requirements related to secondary employment.
California, home to more than 10 million immigrants, has enacted a series of laws limiting state and local participation in federal immigration enforcement. AB 1537 would have added another safeguard by restricting outside employment that could allow officers serving California communities to also participate in immigration enforcement.
In a statement, CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said:
“Governor Newsom’s veto leaves open a troubling loophole that allows California law enforcement officers to participate in federal immigration enforcement outside their regular jobs. California has repeatedly recognized the importance of keeping local policing separate from federal immigration enforcement. Allowing an officer to serve a local community in one role while taking part in immigration enforcement in another risks undermining the trust that separation is intended to protect.”
CAIR-CA has warned that allowing local law enforcement officers to participate in immigration enforcement through outside employment can discourage immigrant community members from reporting crimes, seeking assistance, or cooperating with local authorities.
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR Greater Los Angeles Area Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, 714.851.4851, [email protected]; CAIR Sacramento Valley/Central California Senior Operations & Development Manager Elle Dunlap, [email protected]; CAIR San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam, 760.201.7626, [email protected]; CAIR San Francisco Bay Area Communications Manager Lorrie Adam, 408.498.5779, [email protected]