Rep. Jimmy Gomez Introduces the Keep Our Cities Safe Act

WASHINGTON, June 8 -- Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-California, issued the following news release:

Today, Congressman Jimmy Gomez (D - Los Angeles) introduced the Keep Our Cities Safe Act, a bill that would shield local and state government officials from federal prosecution for complying with their own public health and safety protections.

"Since President Trump took office, he has done nothing but bully and intimidate immigrant-friendly communities across the nation," said Congressman Gomez. "Now, his administration wants to take things a step further and prosecute local officials for opposing Trump's misguided, xenophobic policies. President Trump's threats create a climate of fear that accomplishes the exact opposite of what he claims to want -- making American cities safer. Local law enforcement cannot build the community relationships they rely on to do their jobs if they are also coerced to enforce President Trump's anti-immigrant policies. My bill will let local officials and law enforcement continue to do what they know works best in their cities -- without fear of being prosecuted for it by the Trump administration."

The introduction of the Keep Our Cities Safe Act comes in the wake of escalating attempts by the Trump administration to coerce states into complying with President Trump's aggressive deportation policies. Recent actions by the administration have included a Department of Justice lawsuit filed against the State of California for its recently passed California Values Act (SB-54), a bill that was co-authored by Congressman Jimmy Gomez during his tenure in the California State Legislature. The Trump administration has also stated it is considering pressing criminal charges against local officials who enact and enforce their own public health and safety protections.