Currently, the federal Secure Communities program allows law enforcement agencies to detain an undocumented person taken into custody beyond the time he or she would normally be eligible for release. But a bill likely headed to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk — the so-called “TRUST Act” — would direct California agencies to stop this practice, except for serious and violent offenders.
Supporters of the act say it would allow immigrant communities to cooperate with investigations and report crimes. Critics say it will prevent illegal immigrants from being discovered and deported.