The following statement was released by Edward “Ned” Dolejsi, Executive Director of the California Catholic Conference, regarding the signing by Gov. Jerry Brown of SB 54, the California Values Act:
SACRAMENTO, CA – “By signing the California Values Act, SB 54, Governor Jerry Brown has joined with the Legislature in taking a positive step forward in the protection of some of the most vulnerable residents of California. In a responsible way, SB 54 will help strengthen trust, promote common sense and address the deficiencies and injustices in our broken Federal immigration system, while still protecting our communities.
“Many organizations and people have worked diligently and faithfully in reaching this compromise. We’d like to thank the immigration advocates who continue to stand up for those in the shadows; the law enforcement officials for their steadfast focus on community safety while separating SB 54 discussions from the polarized immigration debate in this nation; and Governor Jerry Brown, Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de Leon and Speaker Anthony Rendon for their leadership and courage.
In the spring of this year, the California Bishops pointed to SB 54 as one of the common sense efforts under way around the nation to address the dysfunctional U.S. immigration system. It “would protect the safety and well-being of all Californians by ensuring that state and local resources are not used to assist in deportations that would separate families,” they said. “It would also do so by having the effect of reducing crime, since undocumented persons would not fear approaching a law enforcement office to report a crime. We support these proposals as well as other reasonable steps to address immigration in a compassionate, thoughtful manner and we encourage our political leaders to find bi-partisan solutions.”