Governor Brown signs the TRUTH Act (Transparent Review of Unjust Transfers and Holds) into law, marking a momentous victory for civil rights organizations.
The bill, introduced by Assemblyman Rob Bonta, will provide critical know-your-rights information and bring transparency to local law enforcement’s participation in federal immigration enforcement.
The TRUTH Act would require that prior to an interview between ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and a person in custody, local law enforcement would need to provide a written consent form that would explain the reason for an interview, that it is voluntary, and that the interview may be declined. If a local law enforcement agency provides ICE with a notification of the date and time of an individual’s release, they must also provide the same notification to the individual and their attorney or permitted designee. The TRUTH Act requires that a local legislative body host an annual community forum if law enforcement allows ICE access to any individual. Records related to ICE access are subject to the Public Records Act.
While Governor Brown initially had reservations about the bill potentially constraining law enforcement’s communications with the federal government, he wrote in a statement, “The author and proponents greatly modified these far reaching provisions, and the bill now reflects a measured approach to due process and transparency principles.”
The California Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations advocated for the TRUTH Act at their 5th Annual Muslim Day at the Capitol (MDAC) where over 600 Muslims across California gathered in Sacramento to urge their legislators’ support.
SEE: 2016 MDAC legislative Agenda
“Every individual deserves to know their rights prior to being questioned by ICE,” says Sameena Usman, CAIR San Francisco Bay Area Government Relations Coordinator. “Providing transparency will further rebuild trust between individuals and law enforcement.”