The Department of Homeland Security removed a list of “sanctuary jurisdictions” that were allegedly uncooperative with federal immigration enforcement, which included San Mateo County, after being published for just a few days.
On May 29, the Trump administration published the list online, and on June 1 it was taken down after yielding criticism over its accuracy and questions over how it was compiled. The list was an effort to target communities, states and jurisdictions that aren’t doing their part in the administration’s immigration enforcement agenda, according to The Associated press.
Although the list no longer is published, San Mateo County remains firm in its support for residents without documentation.
Although the county doesn’t call itself a “sanctuary county,” its strict noncooperation policies mirror other sanctuary jurisdictions. San Mateo County is considered a Certified Welcoming place by Welcoming America, a nonprofit promoting inclusive communities.
“The County is proud to be a certified Welcoming Place, in fact being the first county in California to earn the distinction, and stands by the policies enacted by the Board of Supervisors,” Chief Communications Officer Michelle Durand said in a statement.
In San Mateo County, a 2023 ordinance prohibits the use of county funds for cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. However, this does not mean federal organizations cannot detain individuals within the county.
As the operator of county jails, the Sheriff’s Office is the entity that would be responsible for maintaining this practice. Sheriff Christina Corpus has recently affirmed that deputies will never ask for a resident’s immigration status or allow federal access to jail release information.
The potential impact of being placed on the Department of Homeland Security list, should it ever be published again, remains unknown, Durand said.
Each jurisdiction was to receive formal notification of its noncompliance and the violations of federal criminal statutes made, according to a press release from DHS published with the list.
The Trump administration has made promises to deport more than 11 million people living in the country without legal authorization, and one of his first executive orders called for “sanctuary jurisdictions” not to receive any federal funding.
(1) comment
It doesn’t really matter if San Mateo County is on a “list.” The “list” is out there and the information can be referred to and used as a talking point. Similar to what the Democrat playbook does in repeating fake news and lies. Ultimately, the proof is in whether San Mateo County officials do their part to enforce federal immigration law. If they don’t, I hope residents of the county do their part to report potential immigration issues. Meanwhile, I hope the Trump administration strips away federal funding and California can file another lawsuit against Trump. Isn’t there $50 million in taxpayer funds for that purpose?
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