Rob Bonta visits Salinas to discuss immigration rights locally
SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta visited Salinas today discussing immigration rights on the state and local levels.
“We are expecting a challenge to birthright citizenship," Bonta addressed dozens of local leaders as they gathered at the meeting Friday morning. "We're expecting attempts to militarize the mass deportation process and potentially have US military on domestic soil in the United States of America, participating in mass deportation.”
Bonta's intense words of warning did not come as a surprise to many, and he said that immigration rights could be challenged as early as president-elect Trump's first day in office.
“I know there's a lot of uncertainty as we look ahead into the weeks and months that come," said Bonta.
Many immigrant concerns were brought up by attendees during the meeting. These were a range of issues highlighted by county supervisors, school officials and local organizations.
“A lot of our nonprofits have attorneys on staff that are ready and already doing removal defense but that's not enough," said Magnolia Zarraga of Solidarity Network. "If there's a way that your office can assist in building that capacity out, I think that would be really helpful.”
The event also emphasized the importance of why immigrants should know their rights.
“[It's] really important that everybody knows that they have immigration rights, constitutional rights, their rights to remain silent and not sign any documents, and ask for an immigration attorney," said Senior Legal Representative, U.F.W. Monterey County Ricardo Nunez. "This is very crucial.”
Bonta said that if he needs to step in, he will, and that he is committed to enforcing S-B 54, which limits law enforcement agencies' involvement in immigration enforcement.
“If there's anything about that case, or any case where rights and protections are owed and that are obligated to be provided are not honored under existing law--are not honored in that situation--then we certainly can step in," he said.
This is one of many immigration meetings he intends to hold throughout the state, saying that he chose to address the Salinas community via an invite from Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo.
"Please know that we have each other," he said to the Salinas community. "You have a California DOJ that has your back.”
