Immigration

Ahead of Inauguration Day, Attorney General Bonta held a series of regional convenings with immigrant rights groups, elected officials, and other community-based organizations to share resources, hear concerns, and discuss CADOJ's ongoing efforts to protect California's immigrant communities.

• Los Angeles
• San Francisco
• Sacramento
• Salinas
• San Diego

Protecting Birthright Citizenship
Attorney General Bonta in response to President Trump's onslaught of disastrous and damaging executive orders, filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration's unconstitutional executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship. In the lawsuit, Attorney General Bonta along with 17 other state attorneys general argue that President Trump's unprecedented executive order violates the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Section 1401 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. In February 2025, a judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking the order from going into effect while litigation proceeds.

Defending Dreamers Access to Healthcare
In January 2025, Attorney General Bonta, as part of a multistate coalition, filed a motion to intervene in defense of a rule expanding healthcare access for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients – or Dreamers – by making them eligible to participate in the Affordable Care Act's insurance marketplace.

Challenging the Trump Administration's Early Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Venezuelans
In March 2025, Attorney General Rob Bonta lead a multistate coalition in filing an amicus brief in Haitian-Americans United v. Trump in support of a challenge to the early termination of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Haitians and Venezuelans. Since taking office, the Trump Administration has taken the unprecedented and unlawful action of attempting to cancel TPS for more than 800,000 immigrants fleeing dangerous conditions in their home countries.

Defending Pathways for Legal Immigration for Those Fleeing Dangerous Conditions in Their Home Countries
In March 2025, Attorney General Rob Bonta as part of a multistate coalition, filed an amicus brief in Svitlana Doe, et al., v. Kristi Noem, et al., in support of pathways to humanitarian parole that allow certain vulnerable immigrants to legally enter and remain in the United States to apply for temporary or permanent immigration status. In their brief, the attorneys general argue that the termination of these pathways would upend the lives of tens of thousands of lawfully present immigrants, tear communities and families apart, and deprive the states of the significant economic and social benefits these immigrants provide.

Challenging the Trump Administration's Early Termination of  Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans
In March 2025, Attorney General Rob Bonta co-led a coalition of 18 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in National TPS Alliance v. Noem in support of a challenge to the early termination of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Venezuela. TPS is a critical humanitarian program that allows nationals of designated countries to remain in the United States due to ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or extraordinary and temporary conditions in their home countries. In their brief, the attorneys general urge the district court to grant the plaintiffs' motion to postpone the unlawful early termination of the TPS designation for Venezuela.

Challenging the Trump Administration's Refugee Ban and Refugee Funding Suspension
In February 2025, Attorney General Rob Bonta as part of a coalition of 19 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief in Pacito v. Trump in support of a challenge to the suspension of refugee entry and application processing, and the stop work orders for refugee resettlement agencies. In their brief, the attorneys general argue that the Trump Administration's Refugee Ban and Refugee Funding Suspension are unlawful, misrepresent the concerns and interests of states, and undermine states' ongoing efforts to successfully assimilate and integrate newly arrived refugees.

Supporting the CHNV Parole Program
In August 2024, Attorney General Rob Bonta joined a multistate coalition of 18 attorneys general in an amicus brief before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Texas v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In the amicus brief the attorneys general underscore the state's interest in supporting President Biden's Parole Program for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV Parole Program). The CHNV Parole Program offers qualified individuals from these countries an opportunity to apply for advance travel authorization and to be considered on a case-by-case basis for temporary humanitarian parole of up to two years, which includes employment authorization.

Opposing Texas' Attempt to End DACA
In January 2024, Attorney General Bonta co-led a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief opposing the ongoing, misguided effort led by Texas to end the DACA program. In the amicus brief the coalition argues that the DACA program is a lawful exercise of Executive Branch authority.

Protecting the Health and Well-Being of Immigrant Families
In October 2023, Attorney General Bonta joined a multistate coalition to file an amicus brief in support of the Biden administration's defense of its revised "public charge" regulations, which determine who can obtain or keep legal immigration status. The revised regulations reject harmful Trump-era changes, which caused hardworking immigrants and their families to avoid or refuse critical health, nutrition, and housing programs for which they qualified.

Supporting the Reunification of Migrant Children with Their Parents
In October 2023, Attorney General Bonta joined a coalition of 17 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in support of a federal program that allows children from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to reunite with their parents and guardians in the United States. The coalition filed the brief in support of the Biden Administration, defending the Central American Minors program against a legal challenge led by Texas in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

Supporting the Biden Administration Parole Program
In August 2023, Attorney General Bonta filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Texas v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In the amicus brief, a multistate coalition underscores the states' vested interest in upholding the rights of individuals seeking safety within the United States and emphasizes the importance of the federal government's discretionary power to allow certain immigrants entry or continued stay in the country on humanitarian grounds.

Supporting Humanitarian Protections for Asylum Seekers
In March 2022, Attorney General Bonta joined a coalition in an amicus brief before the U.S. Supreme Court in Biden v. Texas in support of President Biden's efforts to rescind the Trump Administration's harmful restrictions on the asylum process. In the amicus brief, the coalition highlighted the states' interest in protecting the rights of those seeking safety in the United States and the importance of the federal government's discretion to permit certain immigrants to enter or remain in the country for humanitarian purposes.

Attorney General Bonta: The President Cannot Bully California into Carrying Out His Mass Deportation Agenda for Him
Attorney General Bonta issued a statement in response to a memorandum from a Trump political appointee at the U.S. Department of Justice addressing state and local involvement in federal immigration enforcement. In the statement, Attorney General Bonta made it clear that SB 54 is still the law of California and has been upheld by the courts and does not conflict with federal law or violate the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Attorney General Bonta: State and Local Law Enforcement Cannot Be Commandeered for Federal Immigration Enforcement
Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with the attorneys general of New York, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, issued a joint statement addressing a memorandum from a Trump political appointee at the U.S. Department of Justice addressing state and local involvement in federal immigration enforcement. In the statement, the attorneys general cited Printz v. United States which held that the federal government cannot 'impress into its service—and at no cost to itself—the police officers of the 50 States.

Know Your Immigration Rights and Protections Under the Law

In December 2024, Attorney General Bonta issued new guidance to help California immigrants better understand their rights and protections under the law:

You have the right to apply for and secure housing without sharing your immigration status. California law prohibits housing providers from asking about your immigration status unless you are applying for affordable housing funded by the federal government. Additionally, housing providers cannot harass or intimidate you by threatening or sharing information about your immigration status to ICE, law enforcement, or other government agencies.

You have the right to access emergency medical care. Federal laws and regulations ensure the rights of all people to access emergency medical care, including undocumented immigrants.

You have the right to an attorney. If you are arrested by police, you have the right to a government-appointed attorney. If you are detained by ICE and/or are facing immigration proceedings, you have the right to seek legal assistance through an attorney.

State and local law enforcement cannot ask for your immigration status. California law expressly prohibits law enforcement from inquiring about a person's immigration status for immigration enforcement purposes.

State and local law enforcement cannot share your personal information. This includes sharing your home or work address for immigration purposes, unless that information is available to the public or unless that information involves previous criminal arrest, convictions or similar criminal history.

State and local law enforcement cannot assist ICE with immigration enforcement, with very limited exceptions. This means they cannot investigate, cannot interrogate, cannot arrest, and cannot detain you unless it is as part of joint federal task force where the primary purpose is not immigration enforcement.

The full "Know Your Immigration Rights" consumer alert is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Armenian, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

Guidance For Immigrant Students and Families

In January 2025, Attorney General Bonta issued guidance regarding the educational rights for immigrant students and their families: 

Right to a Free Public Education:All children have a right to equal access to free public education, regardless of their or their parents'/guardians' immigration status.

Information Required for School Enrollment:Schools must accept a variety of documents from the student's parent or guardian to demonstrate proof of child's age or residency and schools are not required to keep a copy of the document used as proof of a child's age.

Confidentiality of Personal Information:Federal and state laws protect student education records and personal information. These laws generally require that schools obtain written consent from parents or guardians before releasing student information, unless the release of information is for educational purposes, is already public, or is in response to a court order or subpoena.

The complete Guide for Students and Families is available in English and Spanish.

Protect Yourself from Immigration Scams

Amid new reports of individuals impersonating U.S. Immigrations and Custom Enforcement (ICE) officers and other immigration scams, Attorney General Rob Bonta reminds Californians that it is a crime to impersonate a federal officer and encourages everyone to know their rights under the law and take steps to protect themselves from scams.

Here are some tips and resources to help:

Ask for identification. Immigration authorities should carry identifying badges and credentials.

Go to a legitimate legal aid organization for free legal help. Many nonprofit organizations provide free immigration help to low-income individuals, such as those found through the resources below. To find a legal aid organization near you, go to lawhelpca.org.

Keep your original documents in a safe place. Don't give your original documents to anyone unless you see proof that the government requires the original document. If you give someone an original, they may lose it or refuse to return it unless you pay them.

Do not hire an immigration consultant or a notary. Only lawyers, accredited representatives, and recognized organizations can give you legal advice or represent you in immigration court. Immigration consultants – who may call themselves immigration experts, notarios, notaries public, or paralegals – cannot do so.

Do not give money or personal information to anyone who calls, texts, or emails you claiming that there is a problem with your immigration matter. No federal or state agency, including USCIS, will ever ask for your personal information or payment over the phone, by email, or text.

More information on how to protect yourself from immigration scams can be found here in English, Spanish, Arabic, Armenian, Chinese (Simplified), Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

If you have been the victim of an immigration scam or have information about an individual impersonating an ICE officer, report it to local law enforcement.

Access Free and Low-Cost Legal Assistance

Visit Law Help CA or Immigration Law Help to find immigration assistance near you.

For additional help with legal services:

CDSS Funded Legal Services: Legal Services Providers' Information

• Immigration Services Funding (Affirmative Cases)
• Removal Defense Referral List
• Removal Defense Services in the Central Valley and Central Coast
• Immigrant youth and unaccompanied undocumented minors – Youth Legal Services
• CDSS Immigration Services Bureau page
• CDSS Legal Services Assistance page: General Public Information

Guidance and Model Policies for Public Institutions

In December 2024, Attorney General Bonta issued updated guidance to help staff develop practical plans to protect the rights of immigrants and their families to safely access public institutions by limiting support of immigration enforcement activity at these institutions.

• Guidance and Model Policies to Assist California's Superior Courts
• Guidance and Model Policies to Assist California's Healthcare Facilities
• Guidance and Model Policies to Assist California's Colleges and Universities
• Guidance and Model Policies to Assist California's K-12 Schools
• Guidance and Model Policies to Assist the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, and the Division of Workers Compensation
• Guidance and Model Policies to Assist California's Public Libraries
• Guidance and Model Policies to Assist California Shelters

Each model policy was originally developed in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, advocates, and state and local agencies, and each: (1) outlines relevant federal and state protections for all individuals seeking access to the public institution; (2) provides policy recommendations that comply with federal and state laws, and that may mitigate disruptions from immigration enforcement actions at the institution; and (3) lists model policies that may be adopted by the institution. While the guidance is tailored to certain types of public institutions, any institution that is accessible to the public may choose to adopt a similar policy to protect the rights and safety of their patrons. The following public institutions, state courthouses, public healthcare facilities, and public schools are required to adopt the model policies or equivalent policies; all other facilities are encouraged to do so.

Guidance for School Officials if an Immigration Officer Comes to Campus

In wake of the rising concerns regarding immigration enforcement on school campuses, Attorney General Bonta issued guidance to school officials on how to respond if an immigration officer come to campus.

1. Notify the designated local educational agency administrator of the request, and advise the immigration officer that, before proceeding with the request, and absent exigent circumstances, you must first receive direction from the local educational agency administrator.
2. Ask to see, and make a copy of or note, the officer's credentials (name and badge number), and the phone number of his/her supervisor.
3. Ask the officer for his/her reason for being on school grounds and to produce any documentation that authorizes school access. Make a copy of all documents provided by the officer.
4. While you should not consent to access by an immigration enforcement officer unless he/she declares exigent circumstances or has a federal judicial warrant, do not attempt to physically impede an officer, even if he/she appears to lack authorization to enter. If an officer enters the premises without consent, document his/her actions while on campus.
5. Notify parents or guardians as soon as possible (unless prevented by a judicial warrant or subpoena), and do so before an officer questions or removes a student for immigration-enforcement purposes (unless a judicial warrant has been presented).
6. Provide a copy of those notes, and associated documents collected from the officer to the local educational agency's legal counsel, Superintendent, or other designated administrator.
7. Apprise the California Department of Justice of any attempt by a law-enforcement officer to access a school site or a student for immigration-enforcement purposes by emailing immigration@doj.ca.gov.

The complete Quick Reference for School Officials guide is available in English and Spanish.

Guidance for State and Local Law Enforcement

Attorney General Bonta issued an updated bulletin describing local and state law enforcement agencies' obligations under SB 54, which prohibits the use of state and local resources to assist with federal immigration enforcement, with very limited exceptions. Specifically, under SB 54:

• California law enforcement agencies are prohibited from investigating, interrogating, detaining, or arresting persons for immigration enforcement purposes.
• California law enforcement agencies cannot honor transfer and notification requests or provide information regarding a person's release date except in certain circumstances outlined in the bulletin.
• California law enforcement agencies may not allow officers to be supervised by federal agencies or deputized for immigration enforcement purposes.
• California law enforcement agencies may not enter into new contracts with the federal government to house or detain noncitizens in a locked detention facility for purposes of immigration custody.
• California law enforcement agencies are prohibited from participating in joint law enforcement task forces where the primary purpose of the task force is immigration enforcement.

A copy of the bulletin can be found here.

Guidance for Prosecutors and Defense Counsel

The Attorney General issued new guidance to provide defense counsel and prosecutors with information regarding their obligations under Section 1016.3 of the Penal Code to affirmatively let defendants know about the immigration consequences of a proposed plea deal. A copy of the guidance is available here.

AB 540 Guidance

The California Department of Justice and California Labor Commissioner's Office have issued joint guidance on frequently asked questions to help employers and workers understand and comply with the Immigrant Worker Protection Act (Assembly Bill 450).

In light of the President's xenophobic rhetoric and an anticipated uptick in hostility toward immigrant communities, Attorney General Bonta issued updated guidance and resources for law enforcement, prosecutors, and victims of hate crimes:

1. Law Enforcement Bulletin on Laws Prohibiting Hate Crimes and/or Provide for Enhanced Penalties for Specific Hates Crimes
2. Hate Crimes Rapid Response Protocol for the Deployment of CADOJ Resources
3. Guidance to Prosecutors on Hate Crimes
4. Know Your Rights and Protections Under Hate Crimes Laws

In California, it is considered a hate crime if you are targeted because of your actual or perceived nationality, including your immigration or citizenship status. If you witness or are the victim of a hate crime, you should report it to your local law enforcement agency. California law prohibits law enforcement authorities from asking individuals, including those who are reporting or victims of potential crimes, about their immigration status, unless the information is necessary to certify the victim for a U visa (victim of crime visa) or T visa (victim of human trafficking visa).