California state legislators filed a Freedom of Information Act request for information about recent ICE raids and the policies the agents are following. Citing public fear and confusion over the recent surge in immigration operations, the lawmakers from Southern California said there was an urgent need for transparency on the issue. It was believed to be the first time California state legislators used federal law to challenge the federal government on a transparency issue. (San Francisco Chronicle, February 27, 2017, by Melody Gutierrez)
The legislature’s leaders also asked for information on the treatment of immigrants who entered the country illegally with their parents; the numbers deported to their home countries; the crimes that made them targets; whether those detained had lawyers and whether the ICE agents conducted raids near schools, hospitals, medical clinics, community centers, courts, government offices or churches. (San Jose Mercury News, February 27, 2017, by Katy Murphy)