AG Bonta issued guidance and model policies for state and local agencies to inform their interactions with immigration enforcement authorities, consistent with federal and state law. The guidance, developed pursuant to Senate Bill 580, is meant to help state and local agencies understand their obligations under federal and state law relating to interactions with immigration authorities, with a particular focus on guidelines, model policies, and further recommendations for handling personal sensitive information collected and maintained by agencies that might be requested, demanded, or otherwise accessed for use in immigration enforcement.

“The Trump Administration may lawfully enforce federal civil immigration laws, but it cannot force state and local agencies to do the same. California has passed laws to help California’s immigrant communities safely access public spaces and to provide state and local agencies with the resources they need to appropriately respond when immigration agents knock on their doors. This new guidance is a vital resource that builds on our ongoing work to protect the millions of immigrants who call California home.” -AG Bonta