Immigrants selling food, flowers, and other merchandise along the sidewalks of California will have new privacy protections intended to keep their identities secret from federal immigration agents.
The measure, signed into law this past week by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, comes on the heels of other recently enacted state laws meant to shield students in schools and patients at healthcare facilities from President Trump’s immigration enforcement actions.
Democratic-led states are adding laws resisting Trump even as he intensifies his deportation campaign by seeking to deploy National Guard troops to Democratic-led cities to reinforce U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers who are arresting people suspected of being in the U.S. illegally.
By contrast, some Republican-led states are requiring local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with ICE agents.
“The actions of the states really reflect the polarization of the country on this issue,” said Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, which supports immigration restrictions. “We've seen some states move to cooperate to the greatest extent that they possibly can with Trump’s administration and others doing what they can to try to thwart immigration enforcement in their state.”
Across the U.S, state lawmakers this year have passed more than 100 bills relating to immigration, according to an Associated Press analysis. The measures are divided almost evenly between those providing and denying protections to immigrants.
California is Shielding Immigrant Information
Immigrants comprise a significant portion of California’s urban sidewalk vendors, often becoming targets of immigration enforcement actions due to their visibility in public spaces. They typically need permits from cities or counties; however, the new law prohibits local governments from inquiring about vendors’ immigration status or requiring the disclosure of personal information without a judicial subpoena.
The law aims to protect immigrant vendors from detention and deportation, a critical step in ensuring their safety and livelihood as many have faced threats from federal authorities.
“We’re talking about really security –- security for businesses, security for human beings, security for people who have gone through so much,” remarked Sergio Jimenez, a street vending organizer with the Community Power Collective in Los Angeles.
In addition to the newly signed law for vendors, other recent legislations signed by Newsom protect immigrant information in medical contexts and schools, further bolstering the safety net around immigrants in California.
Democratic States Create Safe Places for Immigrants
Democratic-led states are collectively building an infrastructure to sustain immigrant communities, echoing California's stance. For instance, Maryland and Colorado have enacted laws to limit the reach of immigration enforcement in public institutions.
On the other hand, Republican-led states are taking steps to strengthen cooperation with ICE, leading to a substantial rise in agreements facilitating federal immigration enforcement. Some states are proactively working against federal cooperation, illustrating the ongoing divisive narrative in the U.S.
Public Opinion and Future Legislation
The contrasting legislative approaches underline a broader public dialogue about immigration policy, reflecting both communal safety and administrative challenges in balancing these concerns with federal law.
As discussions and legislative battles continue across the country, the implications of California's laws could inspire similar movements in other states seeking to safeguard immigrant rights.
