The Assembly Judiciary Committee moved SB 873 forward after hearing testimony about reported immigration arrests around the Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse and broader concerns about access to justice.
The bill, authored by Sen. Reyes, would extend California’s courthouse-arrest restrictions to courthouse parking lots, sidewalks and a 1,000-foot perimeter unless federal immigration agents present a judicial warrant. In the hearing transcript, Reyes said the measure was meant to protect access to justice “without fear,” and cited recent arrests at the Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse in his district.
Supporters included Andrea Garcia, a deputy public defender who testified on behalf of the California Public Defenders Association and said she was speaking for the San Bernardino County Public Defender’s Office. Jacqueline Anton, a professor at a Cal State University, also testified in support. The transcript identifies additional support from the Inland Coalition for American Justice, the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, SEIU California, the Judicial Council, the County of Los Angeles and others.
Opposition was listed from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
The committee’s hearing on June 23 also included other bills, but SB 873 was among the measures advanced out of Judiciary after testimony and member discussion. The record provided here does not capture the bill’s later fate after the committee vote.
