Calif. bill protects illegal immigrants from being turned over feds

SACRAMENTO, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill Saturday that limits the ability of police in California to turn illegal immigrants over to federal agencies after arrest.

The measure, dubbed the Trust Act, protects immigrants in the United States illegally unless they are suspected of committing serious crimes, the4 Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.

Brown signed a bill Thursday allowing certain illegal immigrants to obtain California driver's licenses.

"While Washington waffles on immigration, California's forging ahead," Brown said. "I'm not waiting."

Democrats in the U.S. House introduced a bill this week that would give the estimated 11 million people living illegally in the United States a path to citizenship. The Senate passed a similar bill in June, but the Republican majority in the House is expected to oppose it.