Non-U.S. Citizens Can Police Americans in California

On Jan 1, a new law went into effect in California that allows foreign nationals to serve as police officers, highway patrol officers, and corrections officers, The Blaze reports.

The law, SB-960, was ratified by Governor Gavin Newsom and was introduced by state Senator Nancy Skinner.

The previous requirement that these officers be U.S. citizens or permanent residents has been scrapped.

According to a hearing of the California Senate Committee on Public Safety, individuals such as permanent workers, asylees, refugees, and individuals protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program may be eligible for these positions.

However, state Senator Skinner’s spokesman, Robert Gammon, has stated that the law only applies to individuals who are “legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.”

The law has sparked concern among some, who argue that it will take away jobs from American citizens and could lower recruitment standards for law enforcement positions.

Sgt. Jared Wilson, President of the San Diego Police Officer’s Association, has said that the department has lost over 500 officers since July of 2020 and that “lowering standards is not the right answer to fill in our ranks.”

Critics also argue that admitting foreign nationals to positions within law enforcement could aid hostile foreign powers in their infiltration efforts in the U.S.

LATEST VIDEO