Republican Assemblymember sponsors bill to repeal California’s sanctuary state law
In a move that has no chance of receiving a vote, California Assemblymember Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin) introduced Assembly Bill 1708 to repeal the Sanctuary State law. Signed into law in 2017 by former Gov. Jerry Brown, the bill prohibited, with limited exceptions, local law enforcement from sharing information regarding the release of undocumented immigrants from jail.
In announcing the legislation, Kiley referenced a recent Sacramento shooting that left five dead, including the shooter, who was an undocumented resident.
“A few weeks ago our community experienced an unspeakable tragedy that could have been avoided if not for harmful policies passed by the California Legislature,” said Assemblyman Kiley. “We must repeal the Sanctuary State law immediately to prevent avoidable tragedies like this in the future.”
The shooter had been arrested and released on charges of resisting arrest, DUI, and assaulting a police officer days before the February 28 incident. However, the 2017 law prevented the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department from notifying the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE).
Although the bill is unlikely to make it out of committee to a full Assembly vote given the Democratic Assembly majority, Kiley’s action provides a tool in his bid for the U.S. House of Representatives. Kiley and fellow Republican Scott Jones are competing for California’s 3rd Congressional District.
Jones, the Sacramento County Sheriff, has been a staunch supporter of the immigration policies of former President Donald Trump. Kiley’s legislation can burnish his credentials with voters in the conservative-leaning district even as it fails to advance.
