Experts offer perspectives on immigration

Hosted by the local chapter of the League of Women Voters, the Sunday, Nov. 19, event comes as the nation continues to ponder how changes at the federal level are affecting local communities, and will provide insight into how California’s new “sanctuary state” policy might fit in.

“The California state Legislature just passed a number of measures that will serve to protect immigrant members of our community. So I’ll be talking about a number of them, but I’ll focus most specifically on Senate Bill 54, which prohibits many forms of cooperation [between] local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities,” said Araceli Martinez-Olguin, a senior immigrants’ rights attorney at Community Legal Services of East Palo Alto.

While advocates like Martinez-Olguin contend the statewide policy still doesn’t go far enough, she agreed it’s critical to reassure members of the community to feel comfortable seeking local resources.

Similar to the “know your rights” workshops that have been held throughout San Mateo County since the Trump administration moved to crack down on undocumented immigrants, the forum is to provide information and foster a discussion about how to address fears.

Locally, most San Mateo County law enforcement departments have reported they do not enforce federal immigration policies, instead leaving that duty up to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. SB 54, known as the California Values Act, codifies that state or local law enforcement will not use resources toward immigration enforcement. However, there are exceptions when dealing with someone convicted of or charged with certain crimes. The state attorney general is also responsible for establishing a model policy limiting assistance with federal immigration enforcement at public schools, libraries, state health facilities, courthouses, shelters and certain facilities operated by the state divisions overseeing labor laws, agriculture and workers’ compensation.

Martinez-Olguin noted there are communitywide effects if people begin to retreat and don’t feel comfortable calling police for help, attending school or visiting a hospital.

“If accessing state resources means that you end up in immigration proceedings you will stop accessing government. And that puts our public health at issue, it puts our public safety at issue,” she said.

It’s that notion that encourages speakers like San Mateo County Sheriff Carlos Bolanos to reach out to the community.

“I’m going to be focusing on public safety and the importance of maintaining trust in the community that we serve, which includes the immigrant community,” Bolanos said. “We want them to continue to report crimes to us, participate fully in the criminal justice system without any concern in regard to their documentation status.”

In the 10 months since President Donald Trump took office, various workshops have been held to discuss immigration issues in San Mateo County. Having attended several workshops, Bolanos said he’s been struck by a common theme expressed by many of those attending.

“I’ve been amazed at how many people are truly scared of what they’re hearing I would say from Washington, D.C., in regards to immigration and how fearful they are,” Bolanos said, adding he hopes the immigration forums calm many fears by assuring “that local law enforcement does not in any way participate in immigration enforcement and that we need and want to continue to maintain excellent relationships with all the people that we serve, including the undocumented.”

The Sheriff’s Office has a policy in place it does not directly enforce federal immigration laws. However, ICE can find out who has been booked into the jail system based on an inmate’s information being uploaded to a national database. The local Sheriff’s Office also complies with requests to notify ICE of an inmate’s release date, but will not hold people for immigration enforcement.

Bolanos said county officials are continuing to evaluate how SB 54 might affect local operations at the jail, but suggested the new statewide law provides many protections considered “sanctuary” policies.

“I’m all for providing sanctuary for law-abiding residents who are undocumented but, when it comes to serious criminals who prey on our communities and prey on us, than I’m not interested in providing any protection,” Bolanos said.  

But advocates like Martinez-Olguin contend even the new state law doesn’t go far enough, noting there is a long list of “exceptions” for the types of charges, not even convictions, that can trigger jails cooperating with ICE. While acknowledging Bolanos’ willingness to meet and discuss the issue with advocates, she said she’d still like to see San Mateo County be more proactive in adopting sanctuary policies. Many jurisdictions, including the county, previously considered that notion and opted for resolutions expressing non-binding messages of inclusion.

With the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, now in question, many believe communities need to do more to protect immigrants who’ve built a life in their community. Martinez-Olguin said a clear distinction she hopes people recognize is that sanctuary policies do not prevent federal immigration laws from being enforced. They simply deter local agencies from doing the federal government’s job, she explained.

“There is daylight between what SB 54 requires and what our county law enforcement could be doing to protect members of our community,” Martinez-Olguin said. “California for the last several years has led the way in recognizing all members of our community, regardless of immigration status, have value. And there are inclusions and protections, and I’m hopeful that our county will reflect those same values.”

The Perspectives on Immigration Forum will be moderated by the League of Women Voters. Other speakers include representatives from the San Mateo County Office of Education, International Rescue Committee and the Congregational Church of San Mateo.

The forum begins 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, at the San Mateo Main Library, 55 W. Third Ave., San Mateo.

samantha@smdailyjournal.com

(650) 344-5200 ext. 106