As of July 22, 2025, California’s sanctuary laws continue to play a major role in shaping how immigration enforcement works in the state, especially under the renewed federal push from the second Trump administration. Many immigrants, families, advocates, and even local officials are asking what has changed, who is affected, and what steps they should take now. Here’s a detailed update on the current situation, what’s new, and what it means for people living in California.
What Has Changed: Federal Pressure Rises, State Protections Hold
The most important recent change is the strong push from the federal government, led by President Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, to target sanctuary jurisdictions like California. In April 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order that directs federal agencies to publicly identify and penalize states and cities that do not help with federal immigration enforcement. This move has put California’s sanctuary laws, especially the California Values Act (SB 54), back in the national spotlight.
Despite this pressure, California has not changed its main sanctuary policies. The state’s leaders, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, have made it clear that California will not help enforce federal immigration laws that go against state law. Instead, California has doubled down, issuing new guidance to local agencies and school districts to make sure protections for immigrants are followed.
Who Is Affected: Immigrants, Law Enforcement, Landlords, and More
The main people affected by these changes are undocumented immigrants living in California, especially those who have contact with local police, schools, or landlords. Here’s how different groups are impacted:
- Undocumented Immigrants: California’s sanctuary laws, especially SB 54, mean that local police and sheriff’s departments cannot ask about immigration status during routine stops or calls. They also cannot hold people for ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) unless the person is accused of a serious or violent crime. This reduces the risk of being reported to federal immigration authorities during most interactions with local law enforcement.
- Local Law Enforcement: Police and sheriff’s offices must follow state law, which limits their role in immigration enforcement. They can still enforce state and local criminal laws, but they cannot act as immigration agents or join in federal immigration raids.
Landlords and Tenants: New laws, like Assembly Bill 291 (2025), now protect undocumented immigrants from discrimination in housing. Landlords cannot use a person’s immigration status against them in housing disputes.
Schools and Students: School districts, such as the Los Angeles Unified School District, have received updated guidance to limit ICE access to campuses and protect student information. This means students and families should feel safer attending school without fear of immigration enforcement.
Federal Agencies: ICE and other federal immigration officers still have the power to enforce federal immigration laws in California. However, they must do so without help from local police in most cases.
Effective Dates and Key Laws
- California Values Act (SB 54): Enacted in 2017 and still in effect as of July 2025. This law is the main sanctuary law in California.
- Assembly Bill 291 (2025): Became law in 2025, expanding protections to housing.
- Executive Order by President Trump: Signed in April 2025, increasing federal pressure on sanctuary jurisdictions.
Required Actions for Immigrants and Stakeholders
If you are an undocumented immigrant, a family member, or someone who works with immigrant communities, here are the steps you should take now:
- Know Your Rights: Understand that local police in California cannot ask about your immigration status during routine stops or calls. They also cannot hold you for ICE unless you are accused of a serious or violent crime.
- Stay Informed: Keep up with updates from trusted sources, such as the California Attorney General’s office or local immigrant rights groups. They provide guidance on new laws and how to respond to federal enforcement actions.
Protect Your Information: Schools and landlords in California are now limited in what information they can share with federal immigration authorities. If you are asked about your immigration status by a landlord or school official, you have the right to refuse to answer.
Seek Legal Help: If you have questions about your rights or face a legal problem related to your immigration status, contact a qualified immigration attorney. Free consultations are available from some law firms, such as the one at (408) 436-0789.
Report Problems: If you believe a local agency or landlord is violating sanctuary laws, report it to the California Attorney General’s office or a local immigrant rights group.
Implications for Pending Applications and Ongoing Cases
If you have a pending immigration application, such as for asylum, DACA, or another status, California’s sanctuary laws do not directly affect your federal immigration case. However, these laws do limit the risk of being detained by local police for immigration reasons while your case is pending.
- ICE Enforcement: ICE can still arrest and detain people in California, especially in state prisons and jails. However, local police are not allowed to help with these actions unless the person is accused of a serious or violent crime.
No Automatic Protection: Sanctuary laws do not stop federal immigration enforcement. If you have a pending application, you should continue to follow all requirements and attend all hearings or appointments.
Legal Support: If you are detained by ICE or face deportation while your application is pending, seek legal help immediately. Many organizations in California offer free or low-cost legal services.
California’s Sanctuary Laws: How They Work
The main law, the California Values Act (SB 54), sets clear rules for how state and local agencies interact with federal immigration authorities:
- No Use of State Funds for Federal Immigration Enforcement: Local police cannot use taxpayer money to help federal immigration officers, except in rare cases involving serious crimes.
- No Asking About Immigration Status: Police and sheriff’s deputies cannot ask about your immigration status during routine stops, calls, or investigations.
- No ICE Detainers for Most Cases: Local jails cannot hold people just because ICE asks them to, unless the person is accused of a serious or violent crime.
- No Joint Immigration Task Forces: Local agencies cannot join federal task forces if the main goal is immigration enforcement.
- No Deputizing Local Officers: State and local officers cannot be made into federal immigration agents.
These rules have been upheld by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which found that they do not conflict with federal law. This means California’s sanctuary laws are legal and remain in force.
Recent Federal Actions and California’s Response
The second Trump administration has made it a priority to crack down on sanctuary jurisdictions. The April 2025 Executive Order directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice to:
- Publicly identify states and cities that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement
- Penalize these jurisdictions, including possible funding cuts and legal action
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has called sanctuary policies “lawless” and “dangerous,” arguing that they put American citizens and law enforcement at risk.
California’s response has been firm. State leaders have:
- Reaffirmed their commitment to sanctuary laws
- Issued new guidance to local agencies and schools to protect immigrants
- Stated that federal agencies can enforce immigration laws on their own, but cannot force state or local agencies to help
For more information on the California Values Act and related policies, you can visit the California Department of Justice’s official SB 54 resource page.
Practical Effects for Immigrants and Communities
California’s sanctuary laws have several real-world effects:
- Reduced Fear: Many immigrants feel safer reporting crimes or cooperating with police, knowing that local officers will not ask about their immigration status.
- Community Safety: Police can focus on local crime, rather than immigration enforcement, which helps build trust in immigrant communities.
- Limits on ICE: While ICE can still operate in California, they must do so without help from local police in most cases. This can make it harder for ICE to find and detain people who are not already in jail for serious crimes.
- Housing Protections: New laws prevent landlords from using immigration status against tenants, making it easier for undocumented immigrants to find and keep housing.
Statistics and Impact
- Between 2021 and 2024, sanctuary jurisdictions like California released thousands of immigrants who could have been deported, without telling ICE. Federal officials say this puts public safety at risk, but research shows that sanctuary policies do not lead to higher crime rates.
- California is home to hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants who benefit from sanctuary protections.
- Critics point to cases where people with criminal records avoided deportation, but studies show that sanctuary laws do not stop the deportation of people with violent convictions.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, research and data suggest that sanctuary policies help build trust between immigrant communities and local police, without increasing crime.
Key Stakeholders and Their Positions
- California Governor and Attorney General: Strongly support sanctuary laws and have publicly opposed federal efforts to weaken them. Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued bulletins to clarify what law enforcement can and cannot do under SB 54.
- Federal Government: The Trump administration and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem are pushing hard against sanctuary jurisdictions, threatening funding and legal action.
- Local Law Enforcement: Most agencies follow state law and focus on community policing. Some have concerns about federal pressure and public safety, but the law is clear.
- Immigrant Rights Groups: Support sanctuary policies as essential for protecting immigrant communities and public safety.
Future Outlook: What to Expect Next
Looking ahead, California is likely to keep and even expand its sanctuary protections. The state’s leaders have shown they are willing to fight federal efforts in court and through new laws. Here’s what to watch for:
- More State Laws: California may pass new laws to protect immigrants in housing, education, and jobs.
- Continued Legal Battles: The fight between state and federal governments over sanctuary policies is likely to continue, with more lawsuits and court decisions expected.
- Ongoing Guidance: State agencies will keep providing advice and support to local police, schools, and other groups to make sure sanctuary laws are followed.
- Federal Enforcement: ICE and other federal agencies will keep working in California, but without local help in most cases.
Official Resources and Contacts
If you need help or have questions about California’s sanctuary laws, here are some resources:
- Legal Help: Free consultations are available from law firms such as (408) 436-0789.
- School Issues: Contact Senior Policy Advisor Richard Barrera at the California Department of Education ([email protected]) for questions about immigration enforcement on school campuses.
- General Legal Questions: The California Chancellor’s Office, Office of the General Counsel, can be reached at 1102 Q Street, Sacramento, CA 95811, or by phone at 916.445.8752.
Actionable Takeaways
- Stay Informed: Follow updates from the California Attorney General and trusted immigrant rights groups.
- Know Your Rights: Remember that local police in California cannot ask about your immigration status during routine stops or calls.
- Protect Your Information: Schools and landlords have limits on what they can share with federal immigration authorities.
- Seek Legal Help: If you face any problems related to your immigration status, contact a qualified attorney or trusted organization.
- Report Violations: If you believe someone is breaking sanctuary laws, report it to the proper authorities.
California’s sanctuary laws, led by the California Values Act, remain strong and continue to protect immigrants from local immigration enforcement, even as the second Trump administration increases federal pressure. While federal agencies can still enforce immigration laws, the state’s policies limit local cooperation, helping to keep immigrant communities safer and more secure. For the latest updates and official information, visit the California Department of Justice’s SB 54 page.
If you have a pending immigration application or are worried about your status, remember that California’s sanctuary laws do not stop federal enforcement, but they do limit the role of local police and other agencies. Stay informed, know your rights, and reach out for help if you need it.
Learn Today
Sanctuary Laws → State or local policies limiting local involvement in federal immigration enforcement to protect immigrants.
California Values Act (SB 54) → A 2017 California law restricting local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
Executive Order → A directive issued by the President to federal agencies, as signed in April 2025 targeting sanctuary jurisdictions.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) → Federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, including arrests and deportations.
Assembly Bill 291 (2025) → New California law protecting undocumented immigrants from housing discrimination by landlords.
This Article in a Nutshell
California continues to enforce sanctuary laws in 2025 despite federal pressure from the Trump administration, protecting immigrants from local immigration enforcement and expanding housing rights. These laws limit cooperation with ICE, supporting immigrant safety and community trust while federal agencies enforce immigration independently.
— By VisaVerge.com
