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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 3Pt. 6Ch. 2.5§ 15160 Immigration Enforcement Data Restrictions

§ 15160 Immigration Enforcement Data Restrictions

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 15160 Immigration Enforcement Data Restrictions

Key Takeaways

  • •The Attorney General sets the rules for who can use the system and how.
  • •Starting January 1, 2020, users can't use the system for immigration enforcement unless it's about criminal history.
  • •From July 1, 2021, users must give a reason when asking for non-criminal info.
  • •The Attorney General can check if people are following these rules.

Example

A police officer wants to check someone's immigration status using the system.

The officer can't use the system just to check immigration status unless the person has a criminal record. If they do, the officer must give a reason for checking starting July 1, 2021.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 15160 Immigration Enforcement Data Restrictions

(a) The Attorney General shall, upon the advice of the committee, adopt and publish for distribution to the system subscribers and other interested parties the operating policies, practices and procedures, and conditions of qualification for membership. (b) (1) Commencing on January 1, 2020, consistent with the California Values Act (Chapter 17.25 (commencing with Section 7284) of Division 7 of Title 1), no subscribers to the system shall use information other than criminal history information transmitted through the system for immigration enforcement purposes, as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 7284.4. In addition, no subscribers to the system shall use the system for purposes of investigating violations of Section 1325 of Title 8 of the United States Code, if a violation of that section is the only criminal history in an individual’s record. This section does not prohibit or restrict any government entity or official from sending to, or receiving from, federal immigration authorities, information regarding the citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of an individual, or from requesting from federal immigration authorities immigration status information, lawful or unlawful, of any individual, or maintaining or exchanging that information with any other federal, state, or local government entity, pursuant to Sections 1373 and 1644 of Title 8 of the United States Code. (2) Commencing on July 1, 2021, any inquiry for information other than criminal history information submitted through the system shall include a reason for the initiation of the inquiry. (3) Commencing on July 1, 2021, the Attorney General, and personnel they so authorize, may conduct investigations, including inspections and audits, as the Attorney General deems appropriate to monitor compliance with this subdivision. The Attorney General or authorized personnel who are conducting an investigation pursuant to this subdivision shall be authorized to review and inspect case files and any records identified in the investigation process to substantiate a reason given for accessing information other than criminal history information in the system. (c) For the purposes of this section, “system” means the statewide telecommunications system of communication established pursuant to this chapter. (Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 789, Sec. 1. (AB 1747) Effective January 1, 2020.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

Attorney Generaloperating policiespractices and proceduresconditions of qualification for membershipcriminal history informationimmigration enforcement purposesCalifornia Values Actsystem

Related Statutes

  • § 15165 Subscriber Compliance Agreement
  • § 15150 Department Service Transition Rules
  • § 15153 State Agency Communication System
  • § 15154 Law Enforcement Telecommunications Committee
  • § 15158 Committee Meeting Requirements

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 15160.
View Official Source