State Action Alerts

State by State Legislation

To view a map and list of state-by-state refugee and immigration related legislation for the current legislative session, please click here.

State Action Alerts

California:

URGENT: TELL CALIFORNIA SENATORS TO SUPPORT SENATE BILL 54

Right now, California State Senators are considering Senate Bill 54, the California Values Act (de León), which protects the safety and constitutional rights of all members of our California communities.  SB 54 ensures that no state or local resources are diverted to fuel any attempt by the federal government to carry out mass deportations and that our schools, our hospitals, and our courthouses are safe spaces for everyone in our community.

SB 54 passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee and is now headed to the Senate floor. President-elect Trump has stated that a top priority of his administration will be to increase and expedite deportation of immigrants. Bigotry has no place in our State. SB 54 will protect our classrooms against discriminatory immigration enforcement so that we can continue to provide the safe space crucial to public education in California.

URGE THESE CA SENATORS TO VOTE YES ON SB 54
Note: You can also find your CA Senator by clicking here.

  • Senator Galgiani (Modesto) – @SenatorGalgiani (916-651-4005)
  • Senator Glazer (Contra Costa) – @Steve_Glazer (916-651-4007)
  • Senator Newman (North Orange County) – @SenatorNewmanCA (916-651-4029)
  • Senator Portantino (North Los Angeles County) – @Portantino (916-651-4025)
  • Senator Roth (Riverside) – @GeneralRoth (916-651-4031)
  • Senator Stern (Los Angeles – San Fernando Valley) – @HenrySternCA (916-651-4027)

Sample Script: “Hello, my name is _________ and I would like ask  _________ to support the California Values Act, SB 54. The California Values Act just passed the Senate Appropriations Committee and it is heading to the Senate floor for a vote. The bill will ensure that most state and local resources are not used to further mass deportations, and it protects the safety and security of all of our community members. The California Values Act will uphold our core principles of equal treatment, community, and compassion. Thank you.”

You can also tweet at your Senators with this same message. Sample tweets:

  • #CAValuesAct passes Sen Approps Cmte! It’ll uphold our core principles of equal treatment, community, compassion #SB54 #NoBanNoWall #CALeg (click to tweet)
  • CA leads the way against Trump’s racist, anti-immigrant agenda. #CAValuesAct #SB54 will protect immigrants from deportation! #CALeg (click to tweet)
  • #CAValuesAct protects CA families & ensures state & local resources not be used 4 mass deportations. @_ Target leg____ , support #SB54! #CAleg

Join us supporting SB 54 and a pro-immigrant agenda in California. Let’s get this important piece of legislation passed! Please tell us if you take action (opens a new webpage).

Georgia:

The Georgia Legislature has passed two discriminatory bills, HB 452 and HB 37, which are headed to the Governor’s desk. Governor Deal has an opportunity to veto these bills that would target our immigrant neighbors and would not make our communities any safer.

HB 452 would create a public registry of any immigrant who has been convicted of crime as a way to further criminalize immigrants, rather than help people through restorative justice programs. HB 37 plans to take away state funding away from Georgia’s private universities and colleges who seek to make safe spaces for undocumented students. These anti-immigrant proposals send a message of exclusion to Georgia’s newcomers and serve only to spread fear, hatred, and xenophobia.

Call Governor Deal at (404) 656-1776 and tell him to veto HB 452 and HB 37! You can also leave a comment at https://gov.georgia.gov/webform/contact-governor-domestic-form to write his office.

Here’s what you can say: “I’m (name) from (city, county, or congregation) and I’m calling to urge Governor Deal to veto HB 452 and HB 37. These bills discriminate against our immigrant neighbors and would not make our communities in Georgia any safer. Instead, they serve only to send a message of exclusion to our state’s newest Georgians. I urge the Governor to stand up for Georgia’s values of welcome, hospitality, and compassion and veto HB 452 and HB 37.”

Iowa:

URGENT: Tell Iowa Lawmakers to Protect Refugee Funding

Right now, the Iowa legislature is considering state funding for RefugeeRISE AmeriCorps, a program that provides job training and education for refugees and helps them thrive in their new communities. We need your help to tell our legislators to protect RefugeeRISE AmeriCorps and keep state funding intact.

Refugees from all over the world have brought growth to business, communities and churches throughout the state. At a time when companies are competing to find qualified employees to create new products and serve new customers, the diversity of our community is a key opportunity. With the affordable federal-state partnership that RefugeeRISE AmeriCorps provides, refugees who have been in Iowa ten or fewer years are given access to tools to overcome barriers, ranging from language and culture to gaining work skills. With this core training, refugees have steadily gained employment, obtained further education, bought homes, and become vital to our economy as contributing citizens and taxpayers.

Ask Iowa Senators and Representatives to Protect Funding for RefugeeRISE

Here’s the message you can send: “RefugeeRISE is a critical program that provides refugees with job training and education. It also brings in federal dollars to the state – so we’re getting a nearly $1 million program for the price in local dollars of $300,000. RefugeeRISE has 40 members in 10 host site organizations in 7 Iowa cities, including more rural communities like Storm Lake and Columbus Junction, and provides workforce development training to 400 of Iowa’s refugees and more than 500 direct services in one year. Budget cuts will impact the number of communities we can impact and how many refugee community members we can serve. Refugees contribute to Iowa’s communities, and I ask you to live up to our values of welcome, hospitality, and compassion by protecting and maintaining funding for RefugeeRISE.”

Please tell us if you take action (opens a new webpage).

Mississippi:

URGENT: TELL YOUR MISSISSIPPI SENATOR TO OPPOSE SENATE BILL 2710

Right now, the Mississippi Senate is considering SB 2710, which would pressure state and local law enforcement to serve as immigration enforcement officers. SB 2710 has already passed the MS Senate, MS House, and is now being re-considered by the MS Senate for final approval. This bill would take away local police departments’ right to determine how to practice community policing and protect immigrants who are victims or witnesses of crime. SB 2710 also threatens the safety and security of Mississippi’s college campuses and serves only to deter our immigrant neighbors from continuing their education.

SB 2710  would not make communities or cities in Mississippi any safer. Rather, it would reverse intentional, community-based policing efforts that are vital to public safety. It would also significantly burden local government and taxpayers, undermine the trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, and spread fear, hate, and xenophobia against our immigrant neighbors. When all individuals can report dangerous situations and seek protection from violence without the fear of being deported and separated from their families, safety increases for everyone.

Take Action: Call Your Mississippi Senator and Ask Them to Vote NO on SB 2710!

Here’s what you can say: “I’m (name) from (city or county) and I’m calling to ask the Senator to vote no in concurrence to SB 2710. This bill tries to make local law enforcement into federal immigration enforcement agents. This bill does not make my community any safer, threatens the safety and security of our college campuses, and spreads fear, hate, and xenophobia. I expect the Senator to stand with our communities and against politicians who want to separate immigrant families and spread fear using our tax dollars.”

Faith Leaders: Sign On to This Faith Sign On Letter Opposing SB 2710!

As people of faith we must stand in solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters. We invite faith leaders to sign on to this faith leader sign on letter to urge MS Senators to stop SB 2710 and think about the moral imperative to love our neighbor, welcome the immigrant, and care for the most vulnerable among us.

Join us in calling on Mississippi State Senators to reject SB 2710 and any other anti-immigrant legislation that would pressure local police to serve as immigration enforcement officers.

Nebraska:

URGENT: TELL THE NEBRASKA JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT LR 27 AND WELCOME REFUGEES

Right now, the Nebraska Judiciary Committee is considering LR 27, which would affirm Nebraska’s belief in protecting refugees, regardless of where they come from or what religion they practice, and the state’s appreciation for refugees’ contributions to Nebraska. This proposal sends a welcoming message of inclusion to Nebraska’s newest community members.

Refugees are individuals who have been welcomed to the United States after fleeing violence and persecution. As Nebraskans, we know the many benefits and contributions that refugees and immigrants bring to our communities and contribute to our economy. LR 27 reflects Nebraska’s values of hospitality, generosity, and compassion.

Tell Judiciary Committee Members to Support LR 27!
Please call your Senator if (s)he is on the committee. If you don’t have a Senator on the committee, please call the committee chairperson, Senator Ebke.

Here’s what you can say:

“I’m (name) from (city, county, ethnic community, or congregation) and I’m calling to urge the Senator to support LR 27. Refugees are individuals who have been welcomed to the United States after fleeing violence and persecution. As Nebraskans, we know the many benefits and contributions that refugees and immigrants bring to our communities and contribute to our economy. LR 27 reflects Nebraska’s values of hospitality, generosity, and compassion. As a person of faith, I expect the Senator to represent our state’s true values and stand with our coTell Your Representatives: Texans Stand with Refugees

Join us in calling on Nebraska lawmakers to welcome refugees and support LR 27. Please tell us if you take action (opens a new webpage)!

Texas:

URGENT: TELL YOUR TEXAS REPRESENTATIVE TO REJECT SENATE BILL 4

The Texas House Calendars Committee is considering SB 4, which would pressure state and local law enforcement, as well as campus police, to serve as immigration enforcement officers and punish local police departments for not targeting immigrants simply for being undocumented. This bill would take away local police departments’ right to set their own public safety priorities and commitments to protect immigrants who are victims or witnesses of crime. This bill would also create liability issues for cities, counties, universities, and even police chiefs, and open up police departments to unnecessary lawsuits.

We have an opportunity to stop this bill right now by telling Representative Todd Hunter, Calendars Committee Chair, and your State Representative to reject SB 4. SB 4 spreads fear, hate, and xenophobia. This bill undermines community trust and does not make communities or cities in Texas any safer. SB 4 simply paves the way for racial profiling and harmful “stop-and-frisk” policing. Safety increases for everyone only when all individuals can report dangerous situations and seek protection from violence without the fear of being deported and separated from their families.

Take Action TODAY: Tell Your Representative to Stop SB 4!

Please call Rep. Todd Hunter (Corpus Christi) at (512) 463-0672 and then call your Representative! Tell them to reject SB 4.

Here’s what you can say: “I’m (name) from (city, county, or congregation) and I’m calling to ask the Representative to oppose SB 4 and any other anti-immigrant proposals. This bill turns police into immigrant enforcement agents. As a person of faith, I expect the Representative to take a stand against policies that separate immigrant families and make our community less safe. That’s why I’m calling today, to ask you to oppose SB 4!”

Texas Faith Leaders: Join Sign On Letter Opposing SB 4!

We are also asking Texas faith leaders to sign onto a letter to State Representatives, asking them to stop the anti-immigrant agenda in our state. We know that by apprehending and detaining immigrants solely for being undocumented, SB 4 would reverse intentional, community-based policing efforts that are vital to public safety in neighborhoods across Texas. SB 4 sends a message that Texas cares more about deporting immigrants than about community safety.

For more information on SB 4, please visit: http://www.commonsenseimmigrationtx.org/stop-sb4/call-today/

TAKE ACTION: Urge Your State Senator to Stand with Refugees

This week, the Texas State Senate will hold a vote on SB 260, a bill that will abolish the Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs. The bill codifies into law Governor Abbott’s decision to pull the state out of the refugee resettlement program.

Call Your Senator Today: Tell them that Texans will continue to support refugees!
Find your Senator here: Who Represents Me?

Here’s an example of what to say: “My name is [NAME] from [City] and [as a faith leader/constituent] I am calling to express my deep disappointment with SB 260 and our state’s decision to pull out of the refugee resettlement program. Texas has a proud legacy of welcoming refugees and we recognize the valuable contributions refugees bring to our communities. Refugees have been welcomed in the United States after fleeing violence and persecution. This legislation sends an unwelcoming message of exclusion to people looking for the chance to rebuild their lives. I am determined to continue supporting the refugee resettlement program in Texas, and I urge the Senator to stand with me.”

Here are some key points you can make:

  • The Governor’s decision to pull the state out of the refugee program and this bill go against the overwhelmingly welcoming spirit from faith and community partners across Texas and around the country. Every day we see Texans practicing their commitment to courage and hospitality by welcoming refugee families.
  • The United States has the most stringent security screening process in the world.  Refugees who come to our state want nothing more than to work hard, send their children to school, and build new lives in safety. We cannot allow our elected officials to continue to unnecessarily target and scapegoat refugees in our state. That’s not who we are as Texans.
  • In Texas, refugees are taxpayers, consumers, business owners, and leaders in a broad range of industries across the state. Refugees have played a leading role in shaping Texas into the strong and vibrant state it is today.
  • Since Governor Abbott decided to end our state’s partnership with the federal government to resettle refugees last year, community organizations across Texas have stepped up to the plate to manage refugee programming in the state. This bill, essentially codifying what has already happened, is a waste of the legislature’s time when there are much more critical issues for our elected officials to deal with.
  • Over 300 Texas faith leaders have already demonstrated their support for the refugee resettlement program and our state’s partnership with the federal government. Click here for a copy of the letter.

Tell Your Representatives: Texans Stand with Refugees

TODAY, Wednesday, March 29, at 1:30pm, the Veteran Affairs & Border Security Committee will hold a hearing to consider SB 260, a bill that will abolish to abolish Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs. The bill codifies into law Governor Abbott’s decision to pull the state out of the refugee resettlement program.

Call Members of the Senate Veteran Affairs & Border Security Committee:
Tell them that Texans will continue to support refugees!
If your Senator is not listed, call Chairperson Campbell and then your representative.

  • Chair: Senator Donna Campbell (512) 463-0125
  • Vice-Chair: Senator Don Huffines (512) 463-0116
  • Senator Dawn Buckingham (512) 463-0124
  • Senator Bob Hall (512) 463-0102
  • Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. (512) 463-0127
  • Senator José Rodríguez (512) 463-0129
  • Senator Carlos Uresti (512) 463-0119

Here’s an example of what to say: “My name is [NAME] from [City] and I am calling to express my deep disappointment with SB 260 and our state’s decision to pull out of the refugee resettlement program. Texas has a proud legacy of welcoming refugees and we recognize the valuable contributions refugees bring to our communities.  I am determined to continue supporting the refugee resettlement program in Texas and I urge the Senator to stand with me.”

Here are some key points you can make:

  • The Governor’s decision to pull the state out of the refugee program and this bill go against the overwhelmingly welcoming spirit from faith and community partners across Texas and around the country. Every day we see Texans practicing their commitment to courage and hospitality by welcoming refugee families.
  • The United States has the most stringent security screening process in the world.  Refugees who come to our state want nothing more than to work hard, send their children to school, and build new lives in safety. We cannot allow our elected officials to continue to unnecessarily target and scapegoat refugees in our state. That’s not who we are as Texans.
  • In Texas, refugees are taxpayers, consumers, business owners, and leaders in a broad range of industries across the state. Refugees have played a leading role in shaping Texas into the strong and vibrant state it is today.
  • Since Governor Abbott decided to end our state’s partnership with the federal government to resettle refugees last year, community organizations across Texas have stepped up to the plate to manage refugee programming in the state. This bill, essentially codifying what has already happened, is a waste of the legislature’s time when there are much more critical issues for our elected officials to deal with.
  • Over 300 Texas faith leaders have already demonstrated their support for the refugee resettlement program and our state’s partnership with the federal government. Click here for a copy of the letter.

Licensing Bill for Family Immigrant Detention Centers

The Senate Veteran Affairs & Border Security Committee will also hear SB 1018 on Wednesday, a bill which would allow the Department of Family and Protective Services to license immigrant family detention centers.
Our partners at Grassroots Leadership prepared a backgrounder on the bill attached here that provides an overview of the bill and talking points.

URGENT: TELL YOUR TEXAS REPRESENTATIVE TO VOTE NO ON SENATE BILL 4

The Texas House State Affairs Committee will hold a hearing Wednesday, March 15 on SB 4, which would pressure state and local law enforcement to serve as immigration enforcement officers and punish local police departments for not targeting immigrants simply for being undocumented. This bill would take away local police departments’ right to set their own public safety priorities and commitments to protect immigrants who are victims or witnesses of crime.

SB 4 spreads fear, hate, and xenophobia and does not make communities or cities in Texas any safer. The bill simply paves the way for racial profiling and harmful “stop-and-frisk” policing. Safety increases for everyone only when all individuals can report dangerous situations and seek protection from violence without the fear of being deported and separated from their families.

Take Action TODAY: Tell Members of the House State Affairs Committee to Stop SB 4!

Here’s what you can say: “I’m (name) from (city, county, or congregation) and I’m calling to ask the Representative to oppose SB 4 and any other anti-immigrant proposals. This bill turns police into immigrant enforcement agents. As a person of faith, I expect the Representative to take a stand against policies that separate immigrant families and make our community less safe. That’s why I’m calling today, to ask you to vote NO on SB 4!”

  • Rep. Byron Cook, Chair – (512) 463-0730 (Anderson, Freestone, Hill, Navarro)
  • Rep. Helen Giddings, Vice Chair – (512) 463-0953 (Dallas)
  • Rep. Tom Craddick – (512) 463-0500 (Crane, Upton, Midland, Martin, Dawson)
  • Rep. Jessica Farrar – (512) 463-0620 (Harris )
  • Rep. Charlie Geren – (512) 463-0610 (Tarrant)
  • Rep. Ryan Guillen – (512) 463-0416 (Atascosa, Brooks, Duval, Jim Hogg, Kenedy, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, Starr, Willacy)
  • Rep. Ken King – (512) 463-0736 (Armstrong, Bailey, Briscoe, Castro, Cochran, Donley, Gray, Hale, Hansford, Hemphill, Hockley, Lamb, Lipscomb, Ochiltree, Roberts, Swisher, Yoakum)
  • Rep. John Kuempel – (512) 463-0602 (Guadalupe, Wilson)
  • Rep. Morgan Meyer – (512) 463-0367 (Dallas)
  • Rep. René Oliveira – (512) 463-0640 (Cameron)
  • Rep. Chris Paddie – (512) 463-0556 (Shelby, Sabine, Cass, Harrison, Marion, Panola)
  • Rep. Rodriguez, Eddie – (512) 463-0674 (Travis)
  • Rep. Smithee, John T. – (512) 463-0702 (Dallam, Hartley, Oldham, Deaf Smith, Randall, Parmer)

Even if your county is not represented above, please call the committee members and your Representative today and tell them to Vote No on SB 4. For more information on SB 4, please visit: http://www.commonsenseimmigrationtx.org/stop-sb4/call-today/.

Testify During the SB4 Hearing

Community members from across the state will be gathering at the state capitol to testify against SB4 during the hearing on Wednesday, March 15. Please email gwilliams@rcusa.org if you are interested in providing testimony against the bill. There are buses leaving from Houston, Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, San Antonio, Hidalgo County, and Cameron County. Sign up here if you plan to attend and need a ride to Austin.

Virginia:

URGENT: TELL THE VIRGINIA SENATE TO STOP HB 2002

Right now, the Virginia Senate is considering HB 2002, which would unnecessarily require community and faith-based refugee serving organizations to submit redundant reports to the state about these newcomers to our communities. If passed, it would be the first anti-refugee bill enacted in the state of Virginia and sends an unwelcoming message of exclusion to Virginia’s newest families. HB 2002 is an unnecessary waste of resources and does not reflect the welcoming communities we see across Virginia.

Refugees are individuals who have been welcomed to the United States after fleeing violence and persecution. This bill spreads fear, hate, and xenophobia and is an affront to Virginia’s values of hospitality, generosity, and compassion. As Virginians, we know the many benefits and contributions that refugees and immigrants bring to our communities and contribute to our economy. HB 2002 sets us on the wrong path toward discrimination against our Virginian community members.

Call your Virginia Senator and Tell Them to Vote No on HB 2002!

Here’s what you can say:

“I’m (name) from (city, county, ethnic community, or congregation) and I’m calling to urge the Senator to reject HB 2002. This bill is a waste of taxpayer resources, unnecessarily mandates redundant reporting requirements that community and faith-based organizations already provide about refugee families, and sets our state on the wrong path. HB 2002 does not represent the welcoming communities in Virginia. As a (person of faith or as a refugee myself), I expect the Senator to represent our state’s true values and stand with our communities in Virginia by opposing legislation that unnecessarily targets refugees. I urge you to vote no on HB 2002.”

Join us in calling on Virginia Senators to stop the anti-refugee agenda and reject HB 2002. Please tell us if you take action (opens a new webpage)!

URGENT: TELL YOUR VIRGINIA HOUSE DELEGATE AND VIRGINIA SENATOR TO VOTE NO ON HOUSE BILL 2236, HOUSE BILL 1468, AND SENATE BILL 1262

Right now, the Virginia House is considering HB 2236, which would force state and local law enforcement to serve as immigration enforcement officers and comply with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain immigrants. At the same time, the Virginia Senate is considering SB 1262 and HB 1468, which together, would require local governments to enforce federal immigration laws, or face financial penalties; hold individuals in detention and prevent them from being released on bail, work release, or other pre-trial procedures and programs; and take away their right to determine how to practice community policing and protect immigrants who are victims or witnesses of crime. These provisions would not make communities or cities in Virginia any safer. Rather, they would reverse years of intentional, community-based policing efforts that are vital to public safety in neighborhoods across Virginia.

HB 2236, HB 1468, and SB 1262 would place undue burden on local police across the state and undermine the trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement. When all individuals can report dangerous situations and seek protection from violence without the fear of being deported and separated from their families, safety increases for everyone. This legislation serves only to spread fear, hate, and xenophobia. These bills send a message that Virginia cares more about deporting immigrants than about community safety.

Call Your Virginia House Delegate and Senator Today:
Tell your Delegate to oppose HB 2236 and your Senator to oppose SB 1262 and HB 1468!

Here’s what you can say:

“I’m (name) from (city or county) and I’m calling to ask the [Delegate/Senator] to oppose [HB 2236/SB 1262 and HB 1468]. ThIs bill turns local police into immigrant enforcement agents and spread fear, hate, and xenophobia. I expect the [Delegate/Senator] to stand with our communities and against politicians who want to separate immigrant families and spread fear using our tax dollars.”

Join us in calling on Virginia House Delegates to reject HB 2236, HB 1468, and SB 1262, and any other anti-immigrant legislation that would force local police to serve as immigration enforcement officers.