In response to the DOJ’s civil suit challenging three California laws aimed at ensuring law enforcement can protect public safety without eroding its relationship with immigrant communities; and ensuring the basic rights and safety of non-citizens subject to detention and deportation in the state, Nicole Austin-Hillery, Executive Director of the US Program at Human Rights Watch said:
“California has every interest in deciding it can best protect its residents by enabling its law enforcement officers to do their work without stoking fear and stigma in immigrant communities. The state is also acting to protect long-term and deeply-rooted noncitizen residents from the federal government’s cruel and abusive immigration enforcement policies and to counter the harms endured by immigrants detained in the state. As we have previously found, a yearly average of 10,000 parents of US citizens are detained in California often in conditions that fail to meet basic standards for humane and dignified treatment. The DOJ’s attack on California’s much-needed efforts to protect its residents and communities is part and parcel with this administration’s irrational and fear-based approach to public safety and immigration.”
