LAPD Bypasses Federal Law to Allow DACA Officers to Possess Firearms

A Los Angeles Police Department officer displays recovered guns from residents turning in firearms at a "Gun Buy Back" event in Los Angeles on Dec. 5, 2020. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Commentary

The challenge to restore law enforcement personnel levels to the pre-pandemic, pre-defund-the-police era culminated in the passing of California Senate Bill 960, signed into law in September 2022, allowing non-citizens who are eligible to work in the U.S., including recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program, to become police officers.