SACRAMENTO, California – As Democratic leaders in several other states begin to align themselves with Donald Trump’s immigration policy, California’s governor continues to resist.
Gavin Newson is seeking new safeguards to protect illegal immigrants in his state.
The Democratic governor’s administration is preparing a strategic response to the threats of mass deportations announced by President Donald Trump.
According to documents seen by POLITICO, the plan proposes an “Immigrant Protection Framework” aimed at connecting at-risk individuals with essential services such as legal aid, educational institutions, labor organizations and municipal authorities.
Called the “Immigrant Protection Framework Initiative,” the strategy calls for regional centers to coordinate support across the state. These centers would facilitate connections to services, disseminate crucial information and gather data to guide policy decisions. The proposal is still under development and subject to change, POLITICO revealed.
Home to the largest undocumented immigrant community in the U.S., California has consistently opposed federal immigration enforcement actions.
Newsom’s office has allocated an additional $25 million for legal defense funds, underscoring the state’s defensive stance against potential policies under another Trump term, POLITICO reported.
The proposed centers would operate under the supervision of the California Department of Social Services, which would distribute funding to eligible community organizations and manage the program’s administration.
While the precise amounts of funding are not yet defined, the allocation would be used to support community engagement, legal staff and facility operating costs, according to the plan.
Theresa Mier, representing the Department of Social Services, commented on the initiative, saying, “Our team continues to work alongside legislative partners to finalize a funding package for the special session, scheduled for passage before January 20, 2025.”
Beyond the governor’s initiative, state officials and community advocates are calling for increased resources. Budget Committee Chairman Scott Wiener has proposed legislation calling for $60 million, some of which would support advocacy and coordination related to immigration detentions.
The current proposal, however, focuses more on general legal assistance rather than detention center issues.
The full Immigrant Protection Framework is due to be published by mid-January.
As these initiatives develop, California maintains its position as an advocate of immigrant rights, striving to protect its diverse communities in these times of political uncertainty.
This article is based on a POLITICO text which you can consult by clicking on this link.