District 18 Assemblymember Mia Bonta’ latest newsletter to constituents, issued on Friday, June 13, began with a grave observation. “This is an incredibly tumultuous time for our state. The cruel, brutal, and inhumane ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids we’re seeing across Los Angeles are sadly the latest manifestation of the federal government targeting our state, our values, and our community members. This president has no interest in law and order but rather is focused on sowing fear into our community and distracting the public from the insidious actions taking place in the nation’s Capital.”
[1]The aptly titled “California is For All—Immigration Rights & Resources” bulletin continued, “More than one in every four members of our district were born somewhere other than the United States and these threats can be incredibly distressing, regardless of immigration status. Despite the chaos, we recognize that you have rights and are a valued member of our community.”
Promising that “in Oakland, Alameda, Emeryville, and throughout the great state of California, we will not be silent,” Bonta reported what the state legislature has done and is currently doing about the situation.
In January, she noted, the legislature passed $25 million in funding for legal aid for our immigrant communities. “Throughout this week, my legislative colleagues and I have been ringing the alarm bell to call out these illegal actions from the federal administration.”
Bonta said she is “continuing to advance legislation to protect our nonprofits, including those dedicated to serving immigrants, from political targeting.” That legislation passed the Assembly last week, she noted. “I am also advancing legislation to provide unaccompanied minors with the legal right to counsel because our children shouldn’t have to navigate immigration court alone.”
Additionally, Bonta stated, she continues to maintain constant contact with local, state, and federal leaders, along with community organizations, to share information, collaborate on joint efforts, and protect our community.
“And we are not done yet” the Assemblymember promised. “It’s clear that the current administration seeks to incite chaos, create distractions, and spread misinformation to undermine our democratic institutions. But it’s even clearer that, as Californians, we remain committed to challenging these actions in the courts, strengthening civil protections for our communities, and addressing the real cost-of-living issues that Californians face every day.”
Bonta encouraged anyone who has been impacted by these federal actions to contact her office online, or by calling (510) 286-1670.
The following information was provided in the newsletter and is available on Bonta’s Immigration Resources [2] web page.
Know your rights
Immigration rights and protections under the law:
- You have the right to apply for and secure housing without sharing your immigration status. California law prohibits housing providers from asking about your immigration status unless you are applying for affordable housing funded by the federal government. Additionally, housing providers cannot harass or intimidate you by threatening or sharing information about your immigration status to ICE, law enforcement, or other government agencies.
- You have the right to access emergency medical care. Federal laws and regulations ensure the rights of all people to access emergency medical care, including undocumented immigrants.
- You have the right to an attorney. If you are arrested by police, you have the right to a government-appointed attorney. If you are detained by ICE and/or are facing immigration proceedings, you have the right to seek legal assistance through an attorney.
- State and local law enforcement cannot ask for your immigration status. California law expressly prohibits law enforcement from inquiring about a person’s immigration status for immigration enforcement purposes.
- State and local law enforcement cannot share your personal information. This includes sharing your home or work address for immigration purposes, unless that information is available to the public or unless that information involves previous criminal arrest, convictions or similar criminal history.
- State and local law enforcement cannot assist ICE with immigration enforcement, with very limited exceptions. This means they cannot investigate, cannot interrogate, cannot arrest, and cannot detain you unless it is as part of joint federal task force where the primary purpose is not immigration enforcement.
If you believe your civil rights have been violated, report it to the California Department of Justice (fill out a form online [3]).
If you believe you were subject to discrimination, harassment or retaliation, report it to the California Department of Civil Rights. Information on the complaint process is available online [4].
For more information on your legal rights and protections as a California resident, visit the California Department of Justice Immigration Resources [5] online or call 1-800-952-5225.
[6]Communicating with ICE
Knowing your rights is vital to safely communicating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while protecting your constitutional rights, regardless of immigration status.
If you are confronted by ICE, you can share the following information:
- I do not wish to speak with you, answer your questions, or sign or hand you any documents based on my 5th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution.
- I do not give you permission to enter my home based on my 4th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution unless you have an arrest warrant to enter, signed by a judge or magistrate with my name on it or someone else’s at my residence, or a search warrant describing the area to be searched that you slide under the door.
- I do not give you permission to search any of my belongings based on my 4th Amendment rights.
- I choose to exercise my constitutional rights.
Visit the We Have Rights [7] website to watch videos on how to interact safely with ICE in the following situations:
- When ICE Is Outside Our Doors [8].
- Inside Our Homes [9].
- In Our Communities, In Our Streets [10].
- If ICE Arrests Us [11].
- When Documenting ICE Arrests [12].
Legal Aid and ICE Alerts
Alameda County Immigration Legal and Education Partnership [13] (ACILEP) is a collaborative program dedicated to protecting and empowering undocumented communities across Alameda County. We provide rapid response, legal services, and community education to ensure that undocumented individuals and their families have access to justice, dignity, and the resources they need to thrive.
If you are in Alameda County and witness Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in action, suspect ICE activity in progress, or if you or someone you know is detained by ICE, please contact the Hotline at (510) 241-4011 during the operating hours of 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Priority will be given to calls related to ICE arrests.
For a complete list of resources, please visit Assemblymember Bonta’s Immigration Resources [2] web page.