Immigration

SAN FRANCISCO — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today delivered remarks on California Department of Justice’s preparations to protect California’s values, people, and natural resources ahead of a second Trump Administration. To view a recording of the press conference, please visit here. 

Attorney General Bonta's Remarks as Prepared for Delivery:

As the reality of a second Trump Administration takes hold, I know there is a great deal of fear, sadness, anxiety, and panic. 

I understand. 

I’m here today to reassure you that in California, progress will prevail. 

No matter who is in the White House, no matter who holds control of Congress, in California we will keep moving forward. 

In California, we will choose calm over chaos. 

Fact over fiction.

Belonging over blame.

Unity over division. 

“Us and we” over “I and me.” 

It’s why we’re the 5th largest economy in the world. Not in spite of our commitment to workers, consumers, and the environment, because of it. 

Because we’re the largest and most diverse state in the nation.

Because we believe in the power of inclusivity.

Because we believe in truth over lies. Hope over hate. Light over dark.

Because  we believe in looking forward.

It’s who we are in the Golden State. It’s in our DNA. Nothing and no one can change that. 

As Attorney General, I’ll continue to use the full force of the law and authority of this office to address injustice. 

To stand up for all people, especially those who have long been overlooked and undervalued.

To safeguard reproductive rights. 

And advocate for more housing — especially more affordable housing for lower and middle-income families just trying to get by.

I’ll continue to take on greedy corporate giants and fight for more affordable gas, groceries, and everything in between.  

I’ll continue to defend our world-renowned natural resources and protect them for generations to come. 

Continue to fight for clean water to drink and clean air to breathe.

Continue to crack down on illicit guns on our streets and get fentanyl out of our neighborhoods. 

Continue to fight for workers.

I’ll continue to protect, defend, and serve every single Californian. No matter your politics. 

I’m here to ensure every person — no matter how they look, how much money they make, where they’re from, who they love, how they identify, or how they pray — can pursue their version of the California Dream. 

A fair wage and good benefits.  

A safe and affordable place to live.  

Affordable and accessible health care. 

Good schools to send our kids to. 

Safe neighborhoods to raise our families. 

That’s my promise to you, no matter who is in the White House.  

We’ve been here before.

We lived through Trump 1.0. 

We know what he’s capable of. 

We know what plans he has in store. 

The silver lining is just that: we know. 

We know to take Trump at his word when he says he’ll roll back environmental protections, go after our immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities, attack our civil rights, and restrict access to essential reproductive care.

Which means, we won’t be flat-footed come January.

You can be sure that as California Attorney General, if Trump attacks your rights: I’ll be there. 

If Trump comes after your freedoms: I’ll be there. 

If Trump jeopardizes your safety and well-being: I’ll be there.

California DOJ did it before and we’ll do it again.  

During the last Trump Administration, California DOJ fought to stop illegal rollbacks and proposals that would’ve harmed the well-being, health, safety, and civil rights of our people and of people across the country. 

That would have caused irrevocable damage to our environment.

No matter who is in charge of the federal government…

No matter what the incoming Administration has in store… California will remain the steadfast beacon of progress it has long been.  

A constant, unwavering, immoveable force to be reckoned with.  

We’ll continue to be a check on overreach and push back on abuse of power. 

Be the antidote to dangerous, extremist, hateful vitriol.

Be the blueprint of progress for the nation to look to.

Remember: in moments of chaos in D.C., you can always look to California for calm resolve. 

California leaders across the state are ready to stand arm-in-arm. 

Governor Newsom and every single Constitutional Officer;  

Senator Padilla and Senator-elect Schiff;  

Democratic members of Congress; 

Pro Tem McGuire, Speaker Rivas, and the California Legislature; 

Mayors, supervisors, and city councilmembers from San Francisco to San Diego are ready to fight for our California values. 

For our people. For our environment.

For progress and justice.

And as necessary, we’re ready to take on the challenges of a second Trump Administration — together.

While a great deal of change is on the horizon…

California’s path to progress remains full steam ahead.

It may not always be linear. Progress so rarely is. 

It zigs and zags. Takes frustrating detours. Inches forward and backward and forward again. 

The detours and setbacks don’t define our progress.

Our commitment to forward momentum defines our progress. Defines us. 

It’s what we do next that will define us. 

If you’re feeling despondent today, remember that you’re not alone. 

In California, we’re not looking back. We’re not moving back. 

We’re California! We’ll meet any challenges head on and rise to the occasion.

As is so often said, as California goes, so goes the nation.

In the days and months and years to come, all eyes will look west. 

In California, they’ll see: we’re still moving forward.

Thank you. 

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined a multistate coalition of 18 attorneys general in an amicus brief before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Texas v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The brief supports President Biden’s Parole Program for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV Parole Program). The CHNV Parole Program offers qualified individuals from those four countries an opportunity to apply for advance travel authorization and to be considered on a case-by-case basis for temporary humanitarian parole of up to two years, which includes employment authorization. In the amicus brief, the coalition underscores the states’ interest in upholding the federal government's discretionary power to allow certain migrants entry or immigrants to stay in the country on humanitarian grounds. The brief urges the court to leave the CHNV Parole Program in place.

“In California, we believe that migrants escaping violence should be treated with compassion and dignity, and immigration parole programs are a crucial part of a just and secure immigration system,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The Biden Administration’s CHNV Parole Program provides safe pathway to apply for protection for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, or Venezuelan migrants fleeing violence and upheaval. We urge the court to uphold this program that creates orderly processes for people fleeing humanitarian crises to lawfully reach the United States." 

The federal executive branch has, since the Eisenhower Administration, exercised its authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to parole migrants into the United States for humanitarian and other purposes. Parole provides a safe, legal, and orderly pathway for individuals to join their families and seek protection in the United States. The lawsuit, led by Texas, threatens to undermine the federal government’s ability to launch crucial programs that assist migrants fleeing unstable circumstances in their home countries to enter the United States.

In the amicus brief, the coalition asserts:

• Immigrants are key contributors to state economies, parole recipients fill critical positions in industries with labor shortages, and enjoining the program would foreclose these benefits.
• Enjoining the parole pathways would separate families and subject parolees to danger by forcing them to return to the dangerous conditions from which they fled.
• The plaintiffs incorrectly argue that the parole pathways increase crime and impose costs on states, when evidence suggests they will likely decrease both crime and costs to states for law enforcement, healthcare, and other services.

In submitting the amicus brief, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and the District of Columbia

A copy of the amicus brief is available here. 

 OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined a broad, bipartisan coalition of 39 attorneys general in submitting letters to U.S. House and Senate leaders urging them to fund the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in full. LSC is funded by federal appropriation and is a critical compliment to state and other funding for legal aid. LSC provides civil legal services to low-income Americans across the United States.

“As the People’s Attorney, I share a commitment to the equal access of our justice system and understand the barriers that low-income families can face when trying to access legal services,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The Legal Services Corporation provides on-the-ground legal assistance to Americans experiencing seemingly insurmountable obstacles, including our country’s Native American communities, individuals with disabilities, domestic violence survivors, survivors of natural disasters, and undocumented folks. I sincerely urge Congress to support our neighbors and prioritize investment in The Legal Services Corporation.”

Since its establishment by Congress 50 years ago, LSC has provided civil legal services to low-income Americans across the United States who otherwise would not have access to such services. LSC is funded by federal appropriation and the amount of the investment will determine the number of Americans in need that LSC will be able to assist. Each year, LSC provides grants to local nonprofits who together provide legal services to low-income individuals throughout the United States from approximately 900 offices nationwide, stretching from urban centers to small towns. However, despite 94% of federal dollars going directly toward eligible nonprofits delivering civil legal aid, the need for legal assistance is outpacing LSC's funding.

In submitting the letters, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of the District of Columbia, Georgia, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

A copy of the letters can be found here, and here. 

Today's record request is part of an ongoing law enforcement investigation into the transport of 36 asylum seekers to California

SACRAMENTO – In a crucial move to unearth the circumstances under which 36 migrants were recently transported to California, Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a public records request to the Office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Division of Emergency Management. These inquiries are part of an ongoing law enforcement investigation into the conditions under which the migrants seeking asylum were brought into California pursuant to Florida’s so-called “Voluntary Migrant Transport Program.”

 "Upon meeting with the asylum seekers who had been flown to Sacramento via private plane, without any prior arrangements or immediate care provision, we understood the urgent need for a thorough investigation," said Attorney General Bonta. "These letters represent our commitment to transparency and justice. We need to understand the circumstances that led to the implementation of this operation – which was apparently paid for by Florida taxpayer dollars – and the decisions and directives that led to this questionable act. The information gathered will be crucial in determining whether the law has been violated and, if so, what subsequent steps are required to prevent such disregard for human rights from recurring.”

 On June 2, and June 5, two separate groups of asylum seekers were transported from Texas to New Mexico, and then flown to Sacramento, California. Those who arrived on June 2 were left at the door of the Catholic diocese in Sacramento. These individuals were in possession of documentation purporting to be from the government of the State of Florida and its "Voluntary Migrant Transport Program," which contracted with Vertol Systems Company, Inc., to carry out the transport. The California Department of Justice (DOJ) swiftly launched an investigation into the circumstances by which these individuals were brought to California, who funded their travel, and whether these individuals were given false information –– especially as many of the asylum seekers already had immigration proceedings underway. The DOJ investigation seeks to determine whether potential criminal and civil action is warranted. 

Today, Attorney General Bonta has dispatched the two letters formally seeking records under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, a law that ensures public access to governmental records, with the intention of shedding light on the operations and decision-making processes that culminated in these migrant transports.

Specifically, the requests focus on:

• Communications between the Florida Governor’s office or the Florida Division of Emergency Management and any private entity involved in the migrant transports.
• Any instructions or orders given by these offices to any private entity involved in the transports.
• Communications between these offices and any migrant related to the transportation to California.
• Communications between these offices and the Florida Department of Transportation regarding these transports.
• Any records related to the transportation of migrants into California, including those that originated in El Paso, TX, and arrived in Sacramento, CA on June 2, 2023, and June 5, 2023.
• Unredacted versions of all bids or proposals submitted in response to Request for Proposal No. RFP-DEM-22-23-028, including communications and contracts related to the said proposal.
• Communications and any instructions or orders provided by these offices to entities involved in the transportation, including but not limited to Vertol Systems Company, Inc., and Berry Aviation.

The California Department of Justice will utilize the obtained records to aid the ongoing investigations. Meanwhile, California remains steadfast in offering dignified treatment to migrants. Attorney General Bonta is committed to upholding justice and the rights of all individuals within California's jurisdiction.

A copy of the letters sent to the Governor of Florida and Florida Department of Emergency Management can be found here and here.                                               

LOS ANGELES- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris released the following statement on the Supreme Court's 4-4 ruling in U.S. v. Texas, sending the case back to the lower court and maintaining the freeze on President Obama's deferred action programs that would have protected millions of immigrants from deportation.

"I am deeply disappointed in today’s Supreme Court ruling in United States v. Texas. As a nation, we must not accept a status quo in which families continue to be ripped apart.  We must not accept a status quo in which hard-working immigrants are demonized. And we must not accept a status quo in which millions of our friends and neighbors are living in the shadows. 

While today's ruling is a setback, it's not a defeat. Now, more than ever, Congress needs to put divisive political games aside to pass comprehensive immigration reform and finally allow relief and dignity for millions of American families."

LOS ANGELES - Today, Attorney General Kamala D. Harris joined Washington Attorney General Robert W. Ferguson in filing a friend-of-the-court brief with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case J.E.F.M v, Lynch, to ensure that every unaccompanied minor placed in immigration proceedings is guaranteed a right to counsel.

“Children are some of the most vulnerable members of our society. A child forced to navigate our complicated immigration system should be provided with due process,” said Attorney General Harris. “For these children, adequate legal representation can mean the difference between life and death. We must live up to our nation’s principles of justice, equality, and fairness, and guarantee the right to due process for children seeking safety within our borders.”

The brief argues that children are unfairly hindered by age and lack the personal and financial resources to navigate the federal immigration laws and represent themselves in adversarial removal proceedings. Given the complex nature of immigration proceedings, failure to secure counsel can effectively deny an unaccompanied minor her day in court.

According to the American Bar Association (ABA), which issued a report in July 2015 on this issue, “[t]hese children, many of whom entered the United States during the unprecedented ‘surge’ in 2014, are now facing adversarial removal proceedings opposed by experienced government attorneys, with only about 32% represented by counsel.” The ABA also emphasizes that it is extremely unlikely for an unrepresented child to prevail in immigration court without representation, citing a study which found that children represented by an attorney have a 73% success rate in immigration court, compared to only 15% among unrepresented children.

Facing deportation without adequate legal representation can easily condemn a defenseless child to prolonged detention or forced return to a dangerous country. In fact, as the brief acknowledges: “At least eighty-three deportees from the U.S. have been reported murdered upon their return to Central America since January 2014. One teenager was murdered in 2004 only seventeen days after being deported.” Such grave consequences weigh heavily in favor of mandating government-appointed counsel in cases such as these.

In 2014, tens of thousands of children fled violence and poverty in Mexico and Central America in pursuit of a better life in the United States. In response to the crisis, Attorney General Harris secured millions of dollars and over 10,000 hours in pro bono work to close the legal services gap for unaccompanied children across California. She later supported legislation signed by Governor Brown that allocated $3 million to qualified non-profits to provide legal services for unaccompanied minors. In May 2015, Kids in Need of Defense’s (KIND) awarded Attorney General Harris with the 2015 Vision Award for her work to ensure that unaccompanied minors fleeing violence and entering the U.S. are provided legal representation in immigration proceedings.

Since 2014, Attorney General Harris has convened several roundtables with immigrant rights’ advocates, legal service providers, major international law firms, and other stakeholders to discuss the ongoing need for resources and legal aid for children fleeing violence and seeking refuge in the United States. The most recent convening took place in Los Angeles in December 2015 to discuss the ongoing struggle to meet the legal and social service needs of unaccompanied children and families in California, and across the U.S.

In February 2015, Attorney General Harris created the Bureau of Children’s Justice to enforce criminal and civil laws to hold those who prey on children accountable; work with local, state, and national stakeholders to increase support for vulnerable children; and identify and pursue improvements to policies impacting children.  One of the Bureau’s core priorities is human trafficking of vulnerable youth, including foster children.

LOS ANGELES – Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued a consumer alert to warn Californians of retailer fraud and scams that are targeting immigrant and limited English proficient (“LEP”) consumers. Numerous complaints filed with the California Department of Justice describe predatory actions of some retailers on consumers who lack credit and/or fluency in English.  In light of this reported consumer threat, the Attorney General reminds immigrant and LEP consumers to be careful in accepting retail contracts or credit card agreements, and encourages individuals to ask for help from appropriate consumer protection agencies when retailers engage in unfair or deceptive practices.

LOOK OUT FOR THIS COMMON SCAM

Common scams that affect communities with limited English proficiency include “store credit” and false warranties scams.  Californians eager to build their credit may be targeted by retailers who offer to sell them products with a small down payment and with the rest of the amount financed through “store credit.”  This type of agreement often traps consumers into contracts with high interest rates and other unfavorable terms.  Dishonest retailers may also sell defective products that they later refuse to exchange or repair, even if the customer has purchased a retailer warranty.  These types of scams can result in customers being forced to continue making payments on defective items or risk ruining their credit and being sued by the retailer.     

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

Immigrant and LEP consumers should be aware that the California Translation Law[1] protects their rights. This law requires retailers who negotiate in Spanish, Tagalog, Chinese, Vietnamese, or Korean, either orally or in writing, to provide a contract translated in the language used for negotiation to customers.  The translation must be accurate and must include every term and condition in the contract or agreement.  If a retailer negotiates in these languages and does not provide a translated copy of a contract before it is signed, a customer may rescind the contract.  This law was passed to protect the rights of millions of California consumers who do not speak or read English as a first language and who are entitled to be fully informed regarding the terms of their contracts.  This consumer alert offers tips for safeguarding immigrant and LEP consumers who may be targeted by unscrupulous retailers.    

What to look out for

The Attorney General offers California consumers the following tips in order to protect themselves from retailers who may be engaging in improper practices:

• Before making a purchase, research a retailer’s reputation by searching online for reviews and any potential consumer complaints regarding prior fraud or scams. 
• Do not allow a salesperson to pressure you into purchasing an expensive item, an add-on item, or any warranty that you do not want.  Be wary of offers in which retailers agree to sell you an item at a discounted price only if you also purchase an expensive warranty or insurance.         
• Request and read a paper copy of your contract before you sign any documents, even if the retailer intends for you to sign the contract electronically.  Do not allow a salesperson to pressure you into signing anything before you see and understand the terms of your contract.
• If there is something you do not understand about your contract, ask the sales representative for clarification.  Be sure that you are aware of all the goods and services listed on your contract, the total amount due, the number and dollar amount of your monthly payments, and the interest rate you will be charged. 
• If you negotiate with a sales representative in Spanish, Tagalog, Chinese, Vietnamese, or Korean, the retailer must provide you with a copy of your contract in the language in which you communicated before you sign the agreement. 
• Before purchasing a retailer’s warranty for an electronic device or an appliance, ask to see the full warranty terms in writing.  Consider whether you need a retailer’s warranty, and confirm the coverage and length of the manufacturer’s warranty on the product (the manufacturer’s warranty is usually included in an item’s price).  Ask about the coverage provided by the retailer’s warranty, any fees associated with use of the warranty, exclusions, and how repairs are handled.    
• Ask about the return and exchange policy prior to making your purchase.  Make sure to read a written version of the return and exchange policy, which specifies how long you have to return or exchange an item.
• Retain copies of all documents associated with your purchase, including the contract, receipt, warranty information, return policy, manuals, monthly statements, and any other documentation you receive from the retailer.
• Promptly examine the merchandise you purchased to make sure it is new (unless you intentionally bought a used item), functional, and in good condition.  Notify the retailer immediately if problems arise with an item.  Document your interactions with the retailer in writing so that a record exists regarding your attempts to resolve the problem.
• Customers who are trying to build their credit should request a copy of their credit report from https://www.annualcreditreport.com to make certain that their payments are being properly reported to the credit bureaus.      

HELPFUL RESOURCES

The California Department of Consumer Affairs provides helpful information on how to build and maintain good credit at http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/knowyourscore.shtml.  It also offers guidelines on how to avoid scams and fraud at http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/guide/ref_guide.pdf, and provides resources to consumers who have complaints at http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/consumer-selfhelp.shtml.

The Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs also offers information to consumers at http://dcba.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dca, and provides the opportunity to ask questions regarding consumer purchases at https://iddweb.isd.lacounty.gov/dca_ecomplaint/Question/.

The Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation regulates industry standards, and provides information and resources for consumers at http://www.bhfti.ca.gov/consumer/index.shtml.

What to do if you are the victim of a RETAILER scam

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers resources for those who have been the victim of a retailer scam.  If you have been the victim of a retailer scam, immediately file a complaint with the BBB at https://www.bbb.org/consumer-complaints/file-a-complaint/get-started.  

The Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs provides support for those who have been the target of a retailer scam.  If you have been a victim, you may file a complaint with LADCBA at https://iddweb.isd.lacounty.gov/dca_ecomplaint/.

The California Department of Justice protects the rights of consumers and collects complaints on retailer fraud and scams in order to identify patterns of wrongful activity.  To submit a complaint to the California Department of Justice regarding a retailer’s wrongful behavior, please use one of the following complaint forms:

English: https://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company.  

En Español: http://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/contact/business_corpform_sp.pdf

中文: http://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/contact/business_corpform_chin.pdf? 

Tiếng Việt: http://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/contact/business_corpform_viet.pdf?

Translated releases:

Chinese: https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/consumers/limited-english-...  

Korean: https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/consumers/limited-english-...

Spanish: https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/consumers/limited-english-...

Tagalog:  https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/consumers/limited-english-...

Vietnamese: https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/consumers/limited-english-...

LOS ANGELES – Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced that California has joined 15 other states and the District of Columbia in a friend-of-the-court brief in the case of United States v. Texas, urging the Supreme Court to reverse an injunction upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The injunction prohibited the federal government from putting into effect President Barack Obama’s immigration directives that were announced in November 2014.

“President Obama has proposed common sense actions on immigration, which will allow millions of hard-working immigrants to come out of the shadows, contribute to the prosperity of this nation and build their American Dream,” said Attorney General Harris. “I urge the Supreme Court to reverse the lower court’s decision, and allow these important immigration actions to move forward.”

This is the fifth multi-state amicus brief that Attorney General Harris has joined in this case, including the friend-of-the-court brief filed in December 2015 supporting the U.S. Department of Justice’s request for the U.S. Supreme Court to review this case. Now that the Court has agreed to hear the case, in this brief the signatories urge the Court to reverse the lower court’s decision. The brief, signed by California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, and authored by Washington State, asks the Supreme Court to lift the injunction and allow the programs to move forward.

The multi-state brief argues that the President’s immigration directives will benefit the States and further the public interest by allowing qualified undocumented immigrants to work legally and better support their families. This will increase State tax revenue, enhance public safety, and help avoid tragic situations in which parents are deported away from their U.S. citizen children, who are left to rely on State services or extended family. These considerations demonstrate that there is no irreparable injury to the plaintiff States, and that the balance of hardships and public interest strongly favor allowing the directives to proceed without a preliminary injunction.

The brief stresses the overwhelming merits of President Obama’s immigration actions. Reversing the lower court’s decision will allow approximately 5 million people, including 1.2 million Californians, to apply for protection from deportation and work authorization. If enacted, policies designed to strengthen the security of California and the nation will enter into effect, such as requiring eligible individuals to submit biometric data, pass criminal and national security background checks, pay taxes, and meet the specific requirements for the deferred action program, including having resided in the U.S. for at least five years. The federal policies would also expand a preexisting program for certain immigrants who came to the United States as children.

A copy of the brief is attached to the electronic version of this release at oag.ca.gov/news.

LOS ANGELES - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced the kick off of a series of statewide public forums in partnership with Univision Los Angeles, the Service Employees International Union of California and iAmerica to provide Californians applying for U.S. Citizenship with information on the application process and how to avoid immigration services fraud.  

The forums are a continued effort by the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Enforcement Section (CRES), which last year hosted and presented at forums across the state to warn immigrant communities of scams targeting immigrants and con artists perpetrating immigration services fraud. At the forums, CRES will also educate attendees about wage theft, a crime that is often targeted at immigrant populations.

"The first step to protecting immigrant communities from scams is to provide education on how to avoid them,” said Attorney General Harris. “These forums are a crucial opportunity for immigrants to learn about the benefits and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship and learn how to avoid becoming a victim of wage theft and immigration services scams.”

The public forums will be hosted in eight California cities including: Los Angeles, Riverside, Fresno, Sacramento, San Jose, San Marcos, Oakland and Modesto. The statewide public forums will provide community members an opportunity to receive information about the citizenship process, set up an individual appointment for free assistance with citizenship applications, and hear from the Attorney General’s Office on how individuals can avoid being a victim of immigration services scams and wage theft.

“SEIU members are proud to partner with Attorney General Harris to protect Californians and aid immigrant families in achieving their dreams of U.S. Citizenship,” said SEIU California President Laphonza Butler. “Together we are working to break down barriers that stand in the way of immigrants initiating their pathway towards citizenship. We hope that the steps we are taking as a community will help empower the close to 2.5 million immigrants eligible to naturalize in California initiate the process and make their voices heard in our nation’s democratic process.”

Information about more upcoming forums will be announced in the coming days.

UPCOMING FORUM DATES  
Riverside:
April 30, 2016
SEIU 721
6177 River Crest Dr. #B
Riverside CA, 92507

FORUMS ALREADY HELD

Riverside:
Saturday, February 27, 2016 from 9AM to 1PM
Our Lady Of Perpetual Help Church
5250 Central Ave
Riverside, CA 92504

Hayward:
Saturday, March 5, 2016 from 9AM to 4PM
Glad Tidings Church-North Campus
27689 Tyrrell Ave.
Hayward, CA 94844

Los Angeles:
Saturday, January 30 from 9AM to 2PM
Mendez High School
1200 Plaza Del Sol E
Los Angeles, CA 90033

Major changes to United States immigration policy, like those contained in President Barack Obama’s Immigration Accountability Executive Actions announced in November 2014, often lead to con artists emerging to prey on vulnerable consumers seeking help with immigration services.

Attorney General Harris issued a consumer alert informing Californians of these scams and providing tips to help consumers protect themselves. In addition, the Attorney General issued a consumer alert informing Californians about possible scams targeting immigrants attempting to obtain a driver’s license under Assembly Bill 60 (Alejo, 2013).

On December 3, 2015, California, along with 15 other States and the District of Columbia, joined an amicus curiae brief authored by the State of Washington supporting the United States’ petition for certiorari in the U.S. Supreme Court, to overturn a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking President Obama’s November 2014 executive actions on immigration. The court granted review and it will hear the case later this term. The States’ brief argued that, by preventing these policies from going into effect, the injunction harms States by preventing undocumented immigrants from working and generating taxes, by decreasing public safety, and by creating social harms such as displacing the undocumented parents of U.S. citizen children. 

For additional information regarding these forums please contact SEIU's media contacts:

English Language

Michael Roth

Email: Mike@paschalroth.com Phone: 916-444-7170

Spanish Language

Maria Elena Jauregui

Email: mjauregui@servimediainc.com Phone: 818-355-5291

LOS ANGELES -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued a statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to hear the Texas case evaluating President Obama’s immigration program, Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA), this term. 

“Today is a great day for California and the entire nation.  The Supreme Court’s decision to grant review in United States v. Texas means that millions of hard-working immigrants – including 1.2 million Californians – will finally have their day in the Supreme Court.  DAPA and expanded DACA, which were a lawful exercise of the President’s authority, will bring law-abiding immigrant families out of the shadows, boost our economy, and make communities safer.  I urge the Court to restore the rule of law by unfreezing these programs and giving millions of immigrants the justice they deserve.”