Sacramento, CA – SEIU members in California – 750,000 strong – celebrated a package of new laws that cement California’s support for immigrant and human rights today, with Governor Newsom signing a number of bills that secure the basic rights of immigrant workers and all Californians. California’s push to secure basic rights for workers and communities comes as Trump uses violent and lawless immigration forces to terrorize immigrant workers, families and communities with the goal of dividing us as Americans and consolidating power in his own hands.

David Huerta, President of SEIU California and SEIU – United Service Workers West said, “Californians are standing up for our basic freedoms and our Constitutional rights, including due process. We refuse to let Trump divide us with violence and hate; that’s the message Governor Newsom sent today as he joined SEIU members in support of meaningful new protections for immigrant workers and all Californians. Trump has used immigration forces to tear the fabric of our communities apart, but these strong new protections against lawlessness and abuse of our rights are more proof he’s only done the opposite. Working people are more united than ever and unwavering in our pride for our culture and contributions to California.”

SEIU California and local SEIU unions from across the state spearheaded a push this year for state laws that affirm immigrant workers’ rights, give clear guidance to local law enforcement about sharing sensitive data with ICE, demand accountability from immigration authorities, protect the healthcare data of all Californians from misuse, establish best practices in responding to ICE raids in public buildings, and other critical protections.

Arnulfo De La Cruz, President of SEIU Local 2015 and an SEIU California Executive Board Member added, “Governor Newsom’s signature on these essential protections affirms what we believe as workers and Californians: fundamental rights and dignity belong to all. Legal protections under our laws do not belong only to one race; our worth is not tied to our immigration status and it isn’t diminished because we engage in manual labor. We are showing the nation that protecting workers’ rights and defending our democracy are the same fight — one SEIU members are proud to lead and determined to win.”

Mayra Castaneda, ultrasound technologist at Prime St. Francis and member of SEIU United Health Workers (UHW) responded to the signature of Senate Bill 81 to strengthen protections from ICE Raids in health facilities, “The ICE raid at a surgical center in Ontario, California, earlier this year was a flashing red light for healthcare workers. Health facilities should offer all patients a safe healthcare experience, free from the violence of an ICE Raid. That’s why SEIU California was proud to sponsor SB 81, signed by the Governor today, which will ensure that all healthcare facilities are protected from warrantless ICE entries.”

Max Arias, Executive Director of SEIU Local 99 and SEIU Executive Board Member “ICE raids at schools are dangerous to students and school employees. ICE presence in and around schools has dramatically increased truancy. That’s why both Democrats and Republicans alike disapprove of immigration enforcement at public schools. The Governor’s signature on AB 49 will reinforce the rights of school children to be free from the distraction and fear caused by ICE presence or inquiries. Families, children, and workers deserve that. SEIU members appreciate this new law and the many others signed today.”

Hundreds of SEIU members came together with civil rights advocates in August for Immigrant Day of Solidarity and lobby day to call for adoption of an immigrant rights legislative package and celebrate generations of families seeking safety in our nation who have enriched our culture, powered our economy, and built our great state. This event was part of the SEIU Con Estas Manos campaign honoring the labor of workers who use their hands to feed us, to care for our children, the old, and the sick, to clean our buildings and serve the public. SEIU members in Los Angeles have led a “Summer of Resistance,” lifting up the families seeking safety in our state enduring deep sacrifice to ensure their children don’t grow up with fear or hunger.

Governor Newsom signed the following bills supported or sponsored by SEIU California today:

• AB 49 (Muratsuchi) to employ best practices in preventing ICE raids & data inquiries from impacting school children and school employees.
• SB 81 (Arreguín) to create protections for all patients regardless of immigration status.
• SB 98 (Pérez) to ensure that schools and universities develop plans to notify parents, teachers, administrators, and staff of ICE raids on campus.
• SB 627 (Weiner) No Secret Police Act, to require immigration and border patrol agencies to provide and other law enforcement entities to provide clear identification during their operations & refrain from wearing masks that cover their faces and prevent the ability to clearly identify them.
• SB 805 (Pérez) to clarify that the law banning impersonation of a police officer includes ICE and other federal agents and to ban bounty hunters from using their license for the purpose of participating in federal immigration enforcement.