State Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer has decided to withdraw a contentious immigration bill from a committee agenda this week, temporarily averting a potentially divisive vote for Democrats in the midst of a presidential election year.
The bill, which aimed to provide state-funded legal services to undocumented immigrants with serious or violent felony convictions to help them avoid deportation, faced significant backlash before Jones-Sawyer could fully articulate his rationale.
In an interview on Tuesday, the lawmaker admitted uncertainty regarding the votes needed for the bill’s passage, indicating that he won’t reintroduce it until he secures ample support.
“Let me count my votes and see what I have,” Jones-Sawyer stated. “I don’t waste people’s time.”
California legislators have historically championed support for undocumented immigrants, particularly in opposition to policies enacted by the Trump administration post-2016 election. Despite facing financial constraints, lawmakers recently extended healthcare benefits to undocumented immigrants of all ages.
However, the intersection of immigration enforcement and criminal justice has become increasingly contentious, exacerbated by a surge in border crossings. Democrats, including President Joe Biden, have faced mounting pressure to adopt more stringent stances on these issues.
Advocates for recalling Governor Gavin Newsom have seized upon California’s spending on healthcare for undocumented immigrants as a rallying point, attempting to leverage it to garner support for their cause.
Meanwhile, Biden’s efforts to address immigration vulnerabilities through bipartisan congressional deals have faced challenges, with Republicans and some Democrats criticizing proposed measures for lacking provisions related to residency pathways for individuals brought to the U.S. as children.
Jones-Sawyer’s bill, seen as a long shot, has drawn attention to California Democrats, prompting some lawmakers to remain silent on the matter. Advocates argue that denying legal assistance to undocumented immigrants based on their criminal histories amounts to unjust punishment for past convictions.
Although Jones-Sawyer may still consider reintroducing the proposal, he acknowledges the need for effective communication and a compelling narrative to garner support, particularly in the face of opposition from conservative voices on social media.
Jones-Sawyer, known for his advocacy for progressive criminal justice policies, faces pressure to articulate a clear case for the legislation amidst a charged political landscape.
“You get your ass whooped because somebody has a better slogan,” Jones-Sawyer remarked, emphasizing the importance of effective messaging in political discourse.
