FLORIDO: Yet despite its liberal reputation, California has a lot of conservative areas, like agricultural Kern County. Its Sheriff, Donny Youngblood, is president of the powerful state sheriffs' association. DONNY YOUNGBLOOD: Anytime you have a bill that limits your ability to communicate with other law enforcement partners, we're going to be against it.
FLORIDO: In major cities like LA and San Francisco, law enforcement has been more open to limiting cooperation with immigration agents but not here in Kern County. YOUNGBLOOD: We actually have ICE agents that work out of our jail, and they have access to the database. They can decide who they want to deport and who they don't. They don't explain to us what crimes they're deporting for. FLORIDO: That kind of cooperation is exactly what the proposed bill wants to end. At the same time, the sheriff's opposition has helped water down the bill. Last week, as the sun cast a late afternoon glow across the almond and orange groves of the Central Valley, protesters gathered outside Sheriff Youngblood's office in Bakersfield. They staged a little theater.
The scene... UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTER #1: (Imitating siren sounding). FLORIDO: ...The sheriff pulling over a farmworker. UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTER #2: (As character) I think you have a broken tail LED High Mast Lamp . Do you notice that? Where are you from? Are you from Mexico? UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTER #3: (As character) Yes. UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTER #2: (As character) I knew it. I'll come right back. I'm going to go make a call. FLORIDO: The sheriff calls an immigration agent who shows up and asks for the man's papers. UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTER #4: (As character, yelling) Papeles. Busco papeles. (BOOING) UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTER #4: (As character, yelling) Tienes papeles? FLORIDO: Pablo Alvarado, director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, led this protest. He wants Senate Bill 54 to protect all immigrants, regardless of their criminal past. PABLO ALVARADO: Look, it's very difficult to advocate for people who have committed crimes. There's no doubt about that.
From our standpoint, as immigration - as immigrant rights advocates, I certainly don't accept deportation as a proper form of punishment. FLORIDO: His concern is that allowing police to turn even immigrants with serious felonies over to ICE gives fuel to a narrative that most immigrants are criminals. Senator de Leon says he hears this concern but also sees political reality. The bill still has to get through the state assembly and gain the governor's support.
DE LEON: We don't live in a world of absolutes. Nothing ever gets out 100 percent in its purity. FLORIDO: He said that even with the amendments to the bill, it will still protect the vast majority of California's unauthorized immigrants should they find themselves picked up or pulled over by police. Adrian Florido, NPR News.