California Governor Signs Law to Provide Representation to Unaccompanied Immigrant Minors
As the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign continues, California continues to do what it can to protect its immigrant residents. Over the weekend, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1261 to protect immigrant youth by ensuring access to legal counsel for unaccompanied minors and other young immigrants residing in California who are placed in federal immigration removal proceedings.
"would, subject to available funding, provide legal counsel to immigrant youth in the State of California. The bill would define immigrant youth. The bill would require the department to allocate funding for these purposes, and would require the department to consider whether federal funding has been made available and dispersed to organizations or relevant projects in the state in determining the amount and allocation of contracts awarded. The bill would require the department to contract with qualified nonprofit legal services organizations that meet the above-described requirements or an office of the public defender that meets certain requirements. The bill would also authorize the department to fund social work services contracted by qualified nonprofit legal services organizations to assist immigrant youth."
In his signing message for the bill, Governor Newsom highlighted that “[t]his population of youth is at greater risk of exploitation and trafficking due to their unique circumstances in the United States, and providing them with support for legal representation furthers their safety and stability in California.”
