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California Attorney General Xavier Becerra clarified that the state’s sanctuary policies do not contradict the federal law on immigration. On Wednesday, AG Becerra’s office released guidelines to local law enforcement agencies about the California Values Act. On January 1, California became a sanctuary state for hardworking undocumented immigrants. In a statement, AG Becerra said the guidelines simply provide clarity to public safety officers about the Values Act. He emphasized that the law "works in concert not conflict with federal law." Additionally, AD Becerra said "We’re not going to let the Trump Administration coerce us into doing the federal government’s job of enforcing federal immigration law. We’re in the business of public safety, not deportation.” Three weeks ago,  the Trump Administration filed a lawsuit against California over its sanctuary policies. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions claimed that the state has three laws that hinder federal immigration enforcement. He called the laws “unfair, irrational, and unconstitutional.”

California Values Act primary purpose

Based on the information bulletin, the main purpose of the California Values Act is “to ensure effective policing and to protect the safety, well-being, and constitutional rights” of Californians. The California Values Act sets parameters under which  law enforcement agencies may engage in immigration enforcement. A law enforcement agency has discretion, but is not required,to perform the following immigration enforcement activities:

1. Investigate, detain or arrest non-citizens upon reasonable suspicion of federal criminal violation for re-entry after removal due to aggravated felony conviction.
2. Provide a criminal history of a specific person in response to a request from immigration authorities (as long allowed by state law).
3. Participate in joint law enforcement task force if the following conditions are met:

• The primary purpose of the task force is not immigration enforcement
• The enforcement or investigative duties are primarily related to violations of state or federal law unrelated to immigration
• The local law or policy permits the agency’s participation

4. Ask for information necessary to certify potential victims of crime or human trafficking with respect to T-visas and U-visas
5. Provide ICE with access to interview an individual in custody, if the agency gives the notices required by the TRUTH Act

Furthermore, the California Values Act does not prohibit a law enforcement agency from sharing a person’s immigration status with ICE or other governmental entities.