CAL.Regulation
California requires police to inform crime victims of immigration-relief rights by 2028
Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1994, the Defending Immigrant Victims Act, on September 29, 2026. It adds Penal Code section 679.028, requiring law enforcement and prosecutors to inform crime victims — or their next of kin, parents, or guardians — of immigration-relief rights by January 1, 2028. The Attorney General must design an 'Immigrant Victims Rights and Resources' card covering U and T visas, VAWA relief, the cooperation requirement, and legal-services resources.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of the Governor
Key points
- Requires law enforcement and prosecutors to inform crime victims of immigration-relief rights by January 1, 2028.California Legislative Information
- Covers U visas, T visas, and VAWA relief, including the cooperation requirement.California Legislative Information
- The Attorney General designs a standardized rights card by January 1, 2028.California Legislative Information
- The card may be combined with the Marsy Rights card and must be available in English, Spanish and the other Marsy card languages.Office of the Governor
Sources2 articles across 2 outlets
California Legislative Information
Office of the Governor
Filed under
RegulationCal.AB 1994 — Defending Immigrant Victims ActCivil rightsCriminalImmigrationFor practitionersFor governance