Federal immigration agents would need warrants to enter schools and courthouses under this state bill

(D-Bell Gardens) (Gary Coronado)

Originally published by The LA Times

The state Senate on Monday approved a bill that would prohibit federal immigration agents from entering schools, courthouses and state buildings to arrest or question people without a warrant.

Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) introduced Senate Bill 183 as part of a broader move by Democrats to counter President Trump’s calls for increased immigration enforcement and deportations.

On the Senate floor Monday, Lara said his legislation would help assuage the fears of hardworking immigrant parents dropping off their children at school, serving as court witnesses or paying their traffic tickets.

Lawmakers have said the heightened concerns over deportation have led many parents to keep their children home from school and to stop seeking basic social services, such as for food or healthcare. California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye has said federal immigration officers have detained immigrants at courthouses across the country "in full force," demanding to see the daily list of people due to appear “to check all the foreign-sounding names.”

Sen. Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) argued the bill would put court bailiffs and other law enforcement officials in a difficult position, forcing them to intervene with federal arrests.

“This is to ensure they have warrants,” Lara countered. “This bill isn’t requiring anyone to interfere with anyone trying to make an arrest.”

The bill moved out of the Senate chamber with a 28-7 vote and will now be considered by the state Assembly.

Federal immigration agents would need warrants to enter schools and courthouses under this state bill

Federal immigration agents would need warrants to enter schools and courthouses under this state bill

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Federal immigration agents would need warrants to enter schools and courthouses under this state bill

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