California Governor Jerry Brown just signed a new law that would reduce the number of legal immigrants eligible for deportation after being convicted of a misdemeanor, even crimes such as child molestation and identity theft.
SB 1310 will cut the maximum possible sentence for a misdemeanor by one day, a move that would halt deportation for immigrants convicted of the offense.
Federal law maintains that immigrants sentenced to 365 days in jail are eligible for deportation. The new law will set California’s maximum sentence at 364 days, making sure no immigrant is ever deported under the federal rule.
California Republicans criticized the new law, saying that not all misdemeanors are benign. As KFBK radio reported on Tuesday, Republicans pointed out that “cruelty to animals, child neglect or identity theft could be covered in some cases.”
It is rumored that Jerry Brown is eyeing a run for the Democrat nomination for president in 2016, a move that might set him against Hillary Clinton.
If he runs, it won’t be the first time. In fact, Brown has a long history of making runs at the White House.
Brown ran for president in 1976, 1980, and again in 1992. He was a fringe candidate in each case and viewed as a somewhat comical figure having garnered the nickname “Governor Moonbeam” during his first stint as California’s governor starting in 1975.
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston or email the author at igcolonel@hotmail.com.
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