Immigrant Rights Services

CJJC is broadening our scope of immigrants rights services as our organizing work also expands. We work with schools, community centers and in multi-unit buildings to inform people of their rights and support them in being able to exercise them. Some of the workshops we offer include:

  • Know Your Rights When:

    • Encountering law enforcement

    • Applying for an AB60 California driver’s license

    • Applying for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)  

    • Applying for DAPA (Deferred Action for Parental Arrivals)

    • Exercising your rights as a tenant

       

      If you or your organization are interested in a workshop in Spanish or English on one of the topics above, please contact Kitzia, kitzia@cjjc.org

       

       AB60 INFORMATION


      Driving is an essential part of daily life for many immigrant Californians.
      Up until the 1994 all immigrants had access to a drivers license in California irrespective of immigration status.  Driving without a license has resulted in tickets, vehicle impoundment, arrests, and even deportations.

      For the last two decades, immigrants and their allies have organized and fought to restore access to licenses. Beginning January 1, 2015 eligible residents became able to receive a drivers license.

       

      What is AB60?
      ◦ Law passed in 2013 to make California drivers’ licenses available to all regardless of immigration status.
      ◦ Immigrant communities and allies have fought for 20 years to make this a reality!

      What will my license look like?
      ◦ It will/has language on the front and back to distinguish from currently issued drivers’ licenses

       

      Who is eligible?
      ◦ Anyone with the required documents is eligible to acquire a new license, the regulations are still being finalized.

      How can I use my license?
      ◦ You CAN use your AB 60 license to drive and to identify yourself to police officers, for example in a traffic stop.
      ◦ You CANNOT use your AB 60 license to board an airplane or enter a federal building. It does not make you eligible for any public benefits that you were not eligible for before getting a driver’s license, and does not authorize you to work or give you the right to vote.

      Does AB 60 contain protections from discrimination?
      ◦ The law prohibits state or local government agencies, officials, or programs that receive state funds from discriminating against someone because he or she holds or presents an AB 60 license. This includes state and local law enforcement officials.
      ◦ Additionally, AB 60 specifies that it shall be a violation of law, including, but not limited to, a violation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act, to discriminate against an individual who holds or presents an AB 60 driver’s license.
      ◦ The Drive CA Coalition will be monitoring statewide to identify and address discrimination.

      There may be a risk if you:
      ◦ Have a prior order of removal
      ▪ Advice: talk to an attorney first
      ◦ Were detained at the border and deported without signing anything
      ▪ Advice: talk to an attorney first
      ◦ Were fingerprinted at the border and deported
      ▪ talk to an attorney first
      ◦ Have several traffic tickets and haven’t been able to pay them off?
      Please take care of them by either doing community service or making a payment plan with the court, again talk to an attorney if you have any concerns or, if you are Mexican, contact the Mexican Consulate for assistance on clearing your traffic tickets.

      OUR RIGHTS:

      It is important that we remember…
      it is our right to remain silent and only give our correct name if asked and that it
      it is our right to not sign any documents or answer any questions unless our attorney is present.

      If you are at home and ICE/Police show up:

       

      -Do not let any immigration official or public officer into your home/house/apartment without a warrant

       

      -If they don’t have one, they need your verbal authorization in order to go inside.

       

      -If they have a warrant, ask them to put it under the door and only open if:

       

      -The person ICE is looking for is currently in the house

       

      -The address on the warrant is the correct and it is the current address of the person they are looking for

       

      -The warrant has been signed by a judge no more than 10 days from the day they show up at your home

       

      Don’t open the door if the agents do not have a warrant or if it does not meet these requirements.

       

      -If immigration officials or police officers enter without proper authorization, ask for their names and/or write down their badge numbers. Obtain the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.

       

      -Do remember that you have the right to remain silent and only give them your name and don’t sign anything without an attorney present

      If you are pulled over by police:

      -Don’t answer any questions about your status. You do not have to discuss your citizenship or immigration status with the police.

       

      -Only the driver is required to show identification..

       

      -Don’t show false documentation to anyone and do not carry false documents with you.

      If there’s a raid at your workplace:

       

      -Don’t try to run away. If you do so, immigration/police may use that against you. Try to remain calm.

       

      -Don’t answer any questions regarding your birthplace and your legal status, unless your lawyer is present.

       

      -Do not lie about your name. If you lie about your name, your relatives, and/or attorney will have a difficult time trying to find you.

      If you are arrested by local law enforcement:

       

      -You have the right to remain silent and only give your name

       

      -You have the right to make a phone call

       

      -You have the right to speak to a lawyer

       

      -You have the right to not sign anything, unless your lawyer is present and you understand fully what you are signing. Know that a local jail should never hold you just for immigration enforcement or ICE, and if you are held call this hotline — 415-621-2488

       

      If you are being held by ICE:

       

      -You have the right to hire an attorney, unfortunately you do not have the right to an attorney provided by the court free of charge.

       

      -Do not answer any questions regarding your birthplace and your legal status, unless your lawyer is present.

       

      -Do not lie about your name. If you lie about your name, your relatives, and/or attorney will have a difficult time trying to find you.

       

      -Do not sign any documents you do not understand without your attorney present.

      Being Prepared:

       

      -We want to encourage everyone to know/memorize the telephone number for your lawyer or for  organizations that can help you.

       

      -Give written authorization to a person who will take care of your children in case you are detained. Make sure it is signed by a US  public notary.

       

      -Contact your children’s schools and give permission for someone you trust other people to pick your children  up in case you are detained.

       

      -Give copies of all your documents to a family member you trust. Tell this person where you keep your important documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses and passports.