March 2017 Newsletter
Protecting Immigrants at Home, School, and Work
Our immigrant families are under attack. After trying to implement two unconstitutional executive orders, Trump has proposed that 10,000 new ICE agents deport anyone without proper documentation; after his Congressional allies have blocked comprehensive immigration reform. Trump’s attorney general has repeated the irresponsible threat to yank funding from sanctuary cities like San Francisco. Trump is sowing fear in our communities while making us less safe.
California is responding - with the California Values Act, SB 54, which limits state cooperation with federal law enforcement. This bill, along with a host of others, solidifies our status as the heart of the resistance to Trump. Earlier this year, I worked with legal aid attorneys around the state to propose the Immigrant Tenant Protection Act, to protect the vast majority of immigrants who are tenants. AB 291 will deter the small number of unscrupulous landlords who use their tenants’ immigration status to harass or evict them. AB 291 recently passed the Judiciary Committee - after this incredible witness testimony.
Along with Assemblymember Patrick O'Donnell (D-Long Beach), I am authoring AB 699 to keep ICE out of classrooms. Our bill prohibits ICE officers from entering public schools with prior approval from a principal or district superintendent, and it prevents school officials from collecting information about the immigration status of a student. No student should fear going to school, and all parents should be able to send their kids to school knowing that they’re in a safe educational environment.
Last week, I joined the California Labor Federation, SEIU, and the faith community to unveil the Immigrant Worker Protection Act to address the illegal workplace raids that we anticipate are coming. AB 450 requires that employers ask for a judicial warrant before granting ICE access to a worksite, and for a subpoena before sharing confidential employee information. Our immigrants who form the backbone of our economy should not go to work in fear.

As the son of immigrants and a former civil rights attorney, I am deeply committed to this work. I look forward to working with you as we fight to protect immigrant families at home, at school, and at work.
Sincerely,
DAVID CHIU
Assemblymember - 17th Assembly District