(Eggman) Public Safety: 4-2-1
(Eggman) Floor: 22-15-3
The federal government regularly targets immigrants for deportation if they hold convictions for drug offenses, even those that are decades old or resulted in little or no prison time. In California, most people have the option to have drug offenses wiped from their record if they plead guilty and volunteer for a drug rehabilitation program. But this opportunity for clemency does not extend to immigrants — who are often targeted for deportation if a guilty plea exists on their record. AB1351 would have eliminated the requirement for people charged with minor drug possession to enter a guilty plea before starting a drug rehabilitation program — giving minor drug offenders the opportunity to become participatory and productive members of the community. For immigrants, that means a focus on rehabilitation, not deportation. It was vetoed by the Governor.