Calif. Initiative Would Prevent Police Agencies from Deporting Illegal Immigrants

Backers of an initiative that would effectively bar city, county and state law enforcement agencies from apprehending suspected illegal immigrants received permission from Secretary of State Debra Bowen this week to begin gathering signatures.

The initiative authored by Barton C. Gilbert would prohibit the “...use of state, county, or city funds or resources to detain and deport any California resident.”

Valid signatures from 807,615 registered voters -- 8 percent of the total votes cast for governor in the 2010 general election -- must be submitted by March 30 to qualify the measure for the November 2016 ballot, Bowen said.

The initiative would have a minor net fiscal effect on state and local governments because of reduced participation in federal immigration enforcement activities, according to an analysis prepared by the Legislative Analyst’s Office and Department of Finance.

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--City News Service contributed to this report.