Key migrant data is not available

The lack of availability for this material is especially worrisome now, with less than a week to go before the new Trump administration — which is vowing to crack down on immigrants in this country illegally, particularly dangerous ones — settles in to begin its work at a full-tilt gallop.

Asked for a ballpark number of how many undocumented individuals are living on the Peninsula, David Canepa, the new president of the county’s Board of Supervisors, did not answer. Through a county spokeswoman, he did note that the county, as a matter of firm policy, does not keep track of illegal immigrants with felonies on their records nor does it cooperate with federal immigration authorities in this important regard.

In essence, the county has become a sanctuary for them; it’s a dangerous “don’t ask, don’t tell” situation that exists here today. In spite of the county’s recalcitrant position, there are some helpful outside sources which have provided reasonable estimates of the number of those living in California illegally and, by extension perhaps, the county.

Using data provided by the Pew Research Center, the American Immigration Council and Homeland Security’s own analysis, it is believed that about 2 million individuals are residing in the state illegally, or roughly 5% of the total population.

Factoring in that 5% figure to get an approximate number for our county (assuming that it’s a fair percentage), the estimated total of undocumented residents would amount to approximately 37,000 people (just under the combined population of Hillsborough and Burlingame). Of those persons, a subset of felons remains unknown.

In any event, with a fresh, aggressive federal move to deal with illegal immigration seemingly poised on the immediate horizon, the county appears to be operating in the dark when it comes to the actual scope of the undocumented demographic here, making fact-based preparation for what could be coming quite problematic.

A taxpaying citizen-cynic might well speculate that it seems as though our county officials, with blinders firmly affixed, really prefer to keep it that way.

CALLAGY IS FLYING BLIND TOO: The lack of relevant data does County Manager Michael Callagy no favors when it comes to planning for the near future. He and his staff operate at the beck and call of the Board of Supervisors. It is the board members who request (or not) facts relating to significant issues affecting their constituents, both legal and illegal. Asked about an estimated number for those living here without documentation, Callagy pointed out that there isn’t one. Further, he said trying to anticipate what’s coming (and any implications for the county’s budget) isn’t possible, adding, “I don’t think we have a clear picture of what the (new) administration will do in regard to immigration at a local level.” But, apparently, we’re about to find out.

MERCY STILL SEEKING CASH: Mercy High School’s plan for an on-campus gymnasium remains a tantalizing hope as fundraising efforts continue. The proposal still needs $5.7 million to assure completion of the project on the leafy Catholic campus in the Burlingame hills, according to recently published materials provided by the school. The total cost of the new building (and amenities) is pegged at $27 million. Mercy, which opened its doors in 1931, remains the only all-girls Catholic high school in the Central Coast Section (San Francisco to King City) without a gym.

FOR PG&E, LESS MEANS MORE: Now we know. PG&E’s rates keep increasing because our collective use of power has been dropping, courtesy of solar hookups and other efficiencies. That’s according to a counter-intuitive PG&E email sent to customers last week. So less means more. Meanwhile, California’s obsessive push to fully electrify everything from vehicles and stoves to leaf blowers and hot water heaters continues relentlessly. Unplug me now, Reddy Kilowatt.

John Horgan has been writing about San Mateo County’s ins and outs, to the tune of an estimated 7 million words, since 1963. He can be contacted by email at johnhorganmedia@gmail.com.