Thousands of immigrants and refugees in California are unfairly targeted for deportation by ICE -- Governor Gavin Newsom can end this.

Right now, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is deporting our immigrant and refugee families and neighbors because California allows local and state law enforcement to partner with ICE.

Imagine waiting for your loved one to come home from prison after earning their release. But instead of celebrating those first moments of freedom, ICE agents grab them and lock them up in ICE detention.

Governor Newsom can disrupt the prison-to-deportation pipeline by supporting the VISION Act and signing it into law. The VISION Act (AB 937-Carrillo) would protect community members who have already been deemed eligible for release from being transferred by local jails and our state prison system to immigration detention for deportation. (2)

Asian Americans like our friends Borey “Peejay” Ai, Nghiep “Ke” Lam, and Maria Legarda have lived through ICE transfers and are still at risk of being deported:

They are childhood survivors of violence and trauma. As youth, they were subjected to bullying, poverty, war, and domestic violence. As a result, they were funneled into the criminal legal system. During their incarceration, they became positive leaders inside, completed several self-help programs, and even got educational certificates. They all earned their release from prison. But, instead of coming home, the California Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (CDCR) coordinated with ICE to directly transfer them over to ICE detention for deportation. (3)

California is NOT legally obligated to help ICE with deportations, but each year thousands of immigrant families experience this heartbreak.

Between 2018 and 2019, California transferred 3,700 immigrants from local jails to ICE. From 2019 to 2020, California transferred 3,200 immigrants from CDCR to ICE. (1) These aren't just numbers. These people are our loved ones, families, and community members who are being doubly punished just because they are immigrants and refugees.

We know that the conditions in ICE facilities are dangerous and inhumane. In many facilities, detainees experience medical neglect, abuse, and overcrowding. During the pandemic, people lack even the most basic sanitation supplies and personal protective equipment.

ICE transfers separate families, hurt our communities, and unfairly target immigrants for double punishment. Our loved ones should not be punished again after they earn their release simply because of where they were born.

California is home to the largest immigrant community in the US. We can be a national leader in protecting the rights of immigrants and refugees by passing the VISION Act.

Governor Newsom, we call on you to support the VISION Act today.

Will you show your support for the VISION Act by signing our petition? Each signature will send a letter to Governor Newsom urging him to sign the VISION Act into law.

1. ICE out of CA http://www.iceoutofca.org/uploads/2/5/4/6/25464410/vision_act_infographic_policylink.pdf

2. VISION Act (AB 937) http://www.iceoutofca.org/ca-values-act-sb54-408546.html

3. DEMAND GOVERNOR NEWSOM PARDON #APSC3 https://action.18mr.org/pardonapsc3/