Sen. Pérez Applauds Federal Court Ruling Limiting Immigration Raids, Introduces New Legislation

State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena) issued a statement Friday praising a federal court ruling that limits immigration enforcement actions in California’s Central District, calling the decision “a powerful statement against the Trump Administration.”

Pérez said federal attorneys failed to present compelling evidence justifying their immigration enforcement tactics, which she described as racially discriminatory.

“This is appalling to hear, but not surprising,” Pérez said.

The ruling was issued by U.S. District Court Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong, whom Pérez commended for exposing what she called the “flimsy and discriminatory manner” in which federal immigration raids have been conducted.

Pérez said the judge’s decision would help curb aggressive enforcement actions in communities and workplaces.

Pérez also announced she is authoring Senate Bill 805, the No Vigilantes Act, which seeks to expand California’s police impersonation laws and establish new standards for law enforcement identification. The bill would:

• Require law enforcement operating in California to clearly display identification featuring either a name or badge number.
• Authorize law enforcement to request identification from individuals claiming to be officers.
• Prohibit bounty hunters from engaging in any form of immigration enforcement.

“We cannot stop our efforts to protect people’s rights,” Pérez said. “This legislation is about ensuring accountability and protecting vulnerable communities from intimidation and impersonation.”

Pérez chairs the Senate Education Committee and represents California’s 25th Senate District, which includes Pasadena, Altadena, Arcadia, La Cañada Flintridge, San Marino, Sierra Madre, and South Pasadena.