Muslim Advocacy Group Disappointed by Gov. Brown's Veto of SB 1081
Sacramento, CA: The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) October 1 expressed its disappointment over Gov. Jerry Brown's veto of Assembly Bill 1081, also referred to as the Transparency and Responsibility Using State Tools (TRUST) Act.
The bill, sponsored by Assembly Member Tom Ammiano, would have limited the use of unfair, costly detentions of immigrants in local jails for deportation purposes under the so-called "Secure Communities" program.
AB 1081 would have sent a clear message that California was unwilling to participate in unjust immigration practices and unwilling to permit its local police officers and resources to be usurped by federal immigration authorities.
"CAIR-CA supported the TRUST Act because we believe it is imperative that our state and local government seek out immigration reform policies that work. Communities must have a sense of trust with their local law enforcement agencies, and unfortunately the veto of this piece of legislation takes a step back from furthering that goal," said CAIR-CA Chairman Masoud Nassimi.
In reaction to the veto, Reshma Shamasunder, Executive Director of the California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC) issued the following statement:
"We must state in no uncertain terms that Governor Brown's veto of the TRUST Act will cause deep and widespread disappointment among immigrants and their families across the state. We expected him to be a champion for immigrants, but by his failure to take leadership, he has doomed thousands of immigrants including domestic violence survivors, food vendors, and people who for minor offenses are separated from their loved ones and detained unjustly in local jails..."
CIPC (CAIR-CA serves on the organization's steering committee), the Asian Law Caucus, the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, and the ACLU of California sponsored the bill. AB 1081 was one of two bills Muslim community members advocated for at the first-ever "Muslim Day at the Capitol" in Sacramento earlier this year. The second bill, AB 1964, was signed by Gov. Brown last month.
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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