Statement Regarding Romulo Avelica

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On Friday, June 16, without opposition from the City Attorney and on the ground of a legal invalidity, a judge granted the request of Romulo Avelica to vacate his 1998 misdemeanor conviction for receipt of stolen property. Mr. Avelica is an undocumented father of four U.S. citizen children and long-time Los Angeles resident whose arrest by immigration agents while dropping his daughters at school on February 28, 2017 sparked widespread outrage. The conviction, which stemmed from an incident involving Mr. Avelica’s display of a vehicle registration sticker that he had not purchased, had previously led federal immigration authorities to hold him ineligible for certain forms of relief from deportation. As part of the vacatur, Mr. Avelica re-pled to a lesser vehicle code violation in relation to the incident. A judge had previously vacated Mr. Avelica’s only other misdemeanor conviction on grounds of legal invalidity, for which Mr. Avelica also re-pled to a lesser vehicle code violation.

Major Immigrant & Civil Rights Organizations Call for Summer of Non-Compliance Against Hate Legislation (SB4) in Texas #BastaTexas #OrganizeTX

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The passage of Senate Bill 4 in Texas has set a new precedent for the prohibition of sanctuary cities and will open the door to the systematic targeting, profiling, and harassment of all Texans by Trump-inspired law enforcement. Since its passage, organizations and advocacy groups from around the country have been ramping up efforts to challenge its constitutional standing and prepare local communities from around the state for increased enforcement and to defend themselves from violations of their rights. On Monday, seasoned activists from the fight against Arizona’s SB1070 joined Texas community leaders and organizations to launch the “Summer of Resistance” against SB4. 

Community Calls on City Attorney and Court to Vacate Unjust Conviction of Immigrant Father Imprisoned by ICE Since February Arrest Outside of Elementary School

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Family and community leaders will gather outside of LA Superior Court Friday morning to support Romulo Avelica, the father of 4 US citizen daughters in ICE custody since February 28. His arrest while dropping his daughters off at school has garnered international outrage. Mr. Avelica is asking a court to vacate a minor decades-old conviction.

Trump Attempts Sweeping Changes to Immigration Law Through Obscure Budget Provision

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On Friday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a press statement acknowledging that they detained more than 160 individuals during immigrations on Thursday February 9th 2017. This statement comes as ICE agents repeatedly attempted to counter claims made by immigration advocates and lawyers regarding the arrests of “over 100 immigrants” through home raids in several cities in southern California.

Over 100 Law Professors Tell Gov. Jerry Brown: The California Values Act is Good Law and Good Policy

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On Wednesday, over 100 law professors from across the United States, including Dean Chemerinsky of UC Irvine and Dean Johnson of UC Davis, sent a letter to California Governor Jerry Brown and members of the California legislature affirming that California has full legal authority to adopt Senate Bill 54, the California Values Act, which would limit use of state and local resources to assist Trump’s deportation force. As sanctuary policies gain steam across the nation, the letter affirms that SB 54 will “ensure compliance with the constitution.”