California Delays Hearing Bill Offering Legal Aid to Illegal Immigrants Convicted of Serious Crimes

A controversial new bill proposed in California that would use taxpayer dollars to assist illegal immigrants convicted of serious and violent crimes has been removed from a hearing that had been initially scheduled for March 12. The Representation, Equity, and Protections (REP) for All Immigrants Act—introduced earlier this month by Democrat Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer—has faced growing criticism for its call to remove the current prohibition preventing the use of taxpayer funds for legal services to any individual, including illegal immigrants, accused or convicted of a serious or violent felony. Text of the proposed bill AB2031 reads: “This bill would expand those qualifying services to persons having an intent to reside in and having a nexus to the state, and would expand the scope of services to include, among other things, legal representation and related services for removal defense....