California expands privacy protections for sidewalk vendors - San Jose Spotlight

"Immigrants selling food, flowers and other merchandise along the sidewalks of California will have new privacy protections intended to keep their identities secret from federal immigration agents. The measure, signed into law this past week by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, comes on the heels of other recently enacted state laws meant to shield students in schools and patients at health care facilities from the reach of President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement actions."

"While San Jose has worked to train street vendors through resource fair workshops to empower them to stay safe and grow their business, illicit vendors have grown in the city, especially during events. This has resulted in business complaints and the San Jose Police Department i mpounding unlicensed street vendor property. The City Council also approved a policy for stricter permitting rules."

California enacted new privacy protections for immigrants who sell food, flowers and other merchandise along sidewalks, prohibiting local governments from asking about immigration status, requiring fingerprinting, or disclosing personal information without a judicial subpoena. The measure, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, follows other state laws shielding students and patients from federal immigration enforcement. Urban sidewalk vendors are often targeted because their outdoor work makes them more visible. San Jose experienced racism, violence and unlicensed vending growth, prompting city training workshops, police impoundments of unlicensed vendor property and stricter permitting policies. The law will take effect Jan. 1.

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