Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/trust-act/)
The shock that gripped immigrants and their advocates in the immediate aftermath of Donald J. Trump’s election has given way to an unprecedented mobilization. Here’s a rundown of what’s happening now and what may happen after his inauguration.
The Santa Ana City Council this week unanimously approved a resolution calling on the president to stop the deportation of Samuel Sixtos-Gomez, a city resident turned over to immigration authorities in violation of the Trust Act.
Alex had landed in Orange County’s juvenile hall after bringing a pocket knife to school in 2012. Since, he’s lived on a slippery slope toward deportation.
The number of youths incarcerated has fallen dramatically in recent years. Officials and advocates cite softening drug laws and initiatives like restorative justice as reasons for the decline.
Feds say the arrest last week of Edgar Vargas on his way to court, where he was planning to allege police brutality, is a response to the newly implemented Trust Act. Immigrant advocates say ICE’s actions contradict the act’s intent.
The department broke the state’s new law when it handed a Santa Ana resident over to immigration authorities based on an erroneous conviction on the man’s record.
Orange County organizations are calling on the Department of Homeland Security to examine the probation department’s practice of referring juveniles suspected of being undocumented to federal immigration authorities.
A number of state laws that took effect last month will make it easier for undocumented immigrants to work and pursue an education.
Gerson Cortes is 23 years old and attending Santa Ana College with dreams of pursuing a career in cultural anthropology. He is also undocumented and queer.