Fil-Am attorney general addresses fears among undocumented immigrants
FILE PHOTO (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
SAN DIEGO – California Attorney General Rob Bonta has met with immigrant rights groups and elected officials in San Diego to discuss his office’s efforts to protect California’s immigrant communities.
The Jan. 24 meeting was the fifth and final regional meeting throughout the state where Bonta shared resources to let immigrants know their rights under the law.
These resources, available in multiple languages – including Tagalog – can be found here.
“We’ve been preparing for this day for months — hearing concerns through these regional convenings and issuing guidance for immigrants, local law enforcement, prosecutors, school officials and public institutions, all in anticipation of the president attempting to see through his destructive immigration agenda,” Bonta said.
“I’m disappointed but not surprised by the President’s executive orders.”
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“But I want to be clear that California will not waiver in its commitment to upholding the rights and protections of all of our residents, including the nearly 11 million immigrants who call this state home,” the Filipino American attorney general added.
“We hear your concerns, and we will continue to use the full force of the law and tools of this office to stand up for you.”
The wide-ranging protections include the right to emergency medical care, the right to apply for secure housing without sharing immigration status and the right to an attorney.
Local and state law enforcement cannot ask for individuals’ immigration status, share personal information or assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement with immigration enforcement, with very limited exceptions.
Additionally, Bonta’s office backed students’ rights, allowing anyone to receive an education regardless of immigration status.
Finally, the attorney general warned of several scams targeting immigrants, advising them not to give money or personal information to anyone calling, texting or emailing you, as “no federal or state agency, including USCIS, will ever ask for your personal information or payment over the phone, by email or text.”
“If you need help applying for immigration relief, be careful who you hire,” a statement from Bonta’s office read.
“Watch out for immigration scams that can cost you thousands of dollars and/or harm your immigration status.”
Free legal aid organizations can be found here.
Those who believe their rights have been violated may reach out to the California Department of Justice.
Those who believe their rights were subject to discrimination, harassment or retaliation may report their case to the California Civil Rights Department. (With CNS report)
