The newly signed laws allocate money to the state’s Department of Justice to challenge federal immigration actions and to legal groups providing defense for immigrants facing deportation.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has approved $50 million in state funding to fight legal battles over immigration policies as tensions with the Trump administration escalate. The newly signed laws allocate $25 million to the state’s Department of Justice to challenge federal legal battles and another $25 million is going to legal groups providing defense for immigrants facing deportation.
Newsom said action will "bolster funding for legal services programs that are vital to safeguarding the civil rights of California's most vulnerable residents, including people with disabilities, youth who are homeless, victims of human trafficking and wage theft, people facing unlawful evictions, immigrants and more," according to Fox News.
Although the $25 million will go to fight deportations with the legal groups, Newsom added that the funds are not "intended to be used for immigration-related legal services for noncitizens convicted of serious or violent felonies."
During Trump’s first term, California fought the administration on a range of issues, including environmental regulations and immigration laws, filing over 100 lawsuits. With Trump back in office, state officials have been preparing for renewed legal battles, reportedly beginning preparations as early as November following his election victory.
Republicans have criticized the legal funding for cases relating to immigration policies, calling it a diversion from more pressing state issues such as the California wildfires. State and local officials have faced significant backlash from Angelenos who believe they did not take the necessary precautions prior to the wildfires breaking out, according to the Associated Press.
"This slush fund isn’t about solving any real problems — it’s a political stunt designed to distract from the urgent issues our state faces and it won’t bode well for fire victims,” said Republican State Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones.
California’s actions come as the Trump administration has ramped up deportation efforts, focusing primarily on illegal immigrants with criminal records. The administration has also warned of potential consequences for states and cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
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