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Chief Justice: courts must ensure access despite federal immigration enforcement limits
Summary
Guerrero said federal immigration authorities cannot compel states to enforce federal immigration law and referenced SB 54 and AB 668 as laws that limit certain cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in California courthouses.
Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero told legislators that federal immigration enforcement does not permit the federal government to compel states to enforce federal immigration law. She referenced California laws—including SB 54 and AB 668—that limit sharing certain information with immigration officials and codify protections against civil arrests in courthouses without judicial warrants.
Guerrero said these laws have been upheld against challenges and that federal guidance recognizes limitations on civil immigration enforcement in jurisdictions that restrict cooperation. She stressed that the courts’ role is to ensure all members of the public can access the state courts safely and that judicial officers will perform their duties consistent with constitutional mandates.
Ending: Guerrero framed the courts’ obligations as balancing constitutional mandates with public-safety concerns and urged collaboration among branches to preserve access to justice.
