Fil-Am attorney general issues alerts to protect undocumented immigrants

California Attorney General Rob Bonta/FILE PHOTO (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

LOS ANGELES – California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued two consumer alerts to protect the state’s undocumented immigrants from scams and remind them about their immigration rights.

The alerts also serve as a reminder that state and local authorities are barred from assisting federal agencies, such as the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with deportations and other enforcement.

“State and local law enforcement cannot ask for your immigration status for immigration enforcement purposes,” one of the alerts stated.

“California law expressly prohibits law enforcement from inquiring about a person’s immigration status for immigration enforcement purposes.”

The sanctuary state law – also known as the California Values Act – that took effect in 2018 limits cooperation by local government agencies with federal immigration authorities.

“No matter who is in the White House, in California, we will continue to lead with California values,” Bonta said in a statement.

“California is the most diverse state in the nation, and immigrants are the backbone of our economy, history and culture. We will not be caught flat-footed if the President-elect follows through on his threats of mass deportation.”

The Filipino American attorney general said the alerts are intended to help California immigrants better understand their rights and protections under the law and avoid immigration scams “by those seeking to take advantage of fear and uncertainty resulting from the President-elect’s inhumane threats of mass detention, arrests and deportation.”

“My office will continue to use the full force of the law and every tool at our disposal to protect the rights of California’s immigrants,” he added.

The alerts remind the immigrant community about their rights, including access to emergency medical care, securing housing without sharing their immigration status and a workplace free of harassment and discrimination.

Immigrants are advised to seek legal assistance only from lawyers, accredited representatives and recognized organizations who can represent them in immigration court.

Immigration scams may be reported to local district attorneys, the county department of consumer affairs or the Federal Trade Commission.