Deportations from California Drop 44% Since January After New State Law Went Into Affect

 Minneapolis protest against Arizona immigrant law SB 1070
Photo by Fibonacci Blue.

California accounted for a third of all deportations in the United States in the past.

By ELLIOT SPAGAT and AMY TAXIN
Far fewer immigrants arrested by California law enforcement are being turned over to federal authorities for deportation since a new state law went into effect in January.

The law was pushed by immigrant advocates and directs law enforcement agencies to more quickly release those without serious criminal records rather than hold them so federal officials can take them into custody for deportation proceedings.

Already, according to a review by The Associated Press, the new law appears to be having a big impact in slowing deportations at a time when President Barack Obama is looking to ease immigration enforcement policies nationwide and appease immigrant advocates who say his administration has been too tough.

Until now, California has accounted for a third of deportations under U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement's Secure Communities program, which screens the fingerprints of arrestees for potential immigration violations.

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