On Tuesday evening, PICO CA, the state’s largest faith-based, multiracial community organizing network, hosted an informational webinar to provide an in-depth overview of Assembly Bill 2465, titled the “No Taxpayer Dollars for Our Family Separation Act.”
Introduced by Assemblymember Liz Ortega and co-sponsored by the California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC), AB 2465 would prohibit companies that contract with the federal government for immigration enforcement from receiving state-funded benefits, including subsidies, grants, and tax credits. The bill aims to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used to support private detention facilities.
“This bill is important to us, and to me personally, and to many, because we want this bill to pass for the corporations to pay their share and to stop making profit of separating families, making profit of suffering, because every human matters, and we don’t believe that another human is superior to another human,” said Linda Torres, speaking on behalf of PICO CA. “All humans matter, all voices matter, we all matter.”
The bill faces a key milestone on May 14, when it will be considered by the Assembly Appropriations Committee, a legislative body responsible for determining funding levels for state programs and advancing bills with fiscal implications. According to Eddie Carmona, Director of Organizing with PICO CA, the measure will ultimately need 54 votes in the Assembly to pass. If approved, it would be the first law of its kind, setting a precedent for limiting public financial support for private immigration detention.
During the webinar, Assemblymember Ortega emphasized that despite the ongoing rhetoric that there is nothing that can be done to prevent the federal government from inflicting harm onto commuities, that is not the case.
“Having watched our communities being terrorized by this administration has been a complete nightmare. And let me be clear about the fact that we can do something about it. A lot of people have told us, well, it’s the federal government. There’s nothing we can do to stop the federal government from doing that and doing what they’re doing to our communities. And that is not true,” said Ortega.
David Huerta, President of the Service Employees International Union- United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW), who has since endorsed this bill, noted the importance of a broader outreach of community effort.
“Obviously, it’s going to be an effort that has to include labor, community, faith-based organizations across the gamut to make this happen,” said Huerta. “And it’s so important to make sure that none of our public dollars, none of what comes out of California, goes to help or diminish the plight of our community. We have to stop the piracy. We have to make sure that our dollars go for the good and get working people.”
Still, potential legal challenges remain. Stephanie Esparza, Ortega’s legislative director, acknowledged that companies affected by the bill could pursue litigation if it becomes law.
“I do think that is something we have to worry about, not because I think the law is unconstitutional, but because these companies will take it to court no matter what,” said Esparza. “They have the money to do so, so they will file a lawsuit, I can almost guarantee you. But that doesn’t mean I think the law will be overturned. I think we have some really strong grounds.”
Ortega also encouraged constituents to demonstrate their support through community engagement, including sharing information with neighbors and posting on social media.
“This isn’t just about immigrants, but our entire state and our neighbors, and everyone is impacted by what’s happening,” said Ortega.
