The Sacramento City Council plans to reaffirm its commitment to immigrants in the community on Tuesday with an update to its immigration platform, but more formal action could be ahead.
Tuesday’s update includes a vow to protect free speech in public places, such as the John Moss Federal Building which is being used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain immigrants. It also affirms that the city will not hand over data to help with ICE enforcement.
Rhonda Ríos Kravitz is an activist with the Sacramento Immigration Coalition. She said that public shows of support build trust in the community, particularly with law enforcement.
“ Our communities are stronger, safer, and healthier when all can safely access the services and care we need without fear,” she said.
The proposed update to the city’s immigration platform calls for opposing the use of local law enforcement from assisting in any way with an ICE raid or enforcement effort.
Sacramento has a longstanding history of supporting immigrants, which make up about 19% of the region’s population. It has been dubbed a sanctuary city since 1985, which is a local jurisdiction that opts to not aid in immigration enforcement efforts by federal governments.
The update on Tuesday is a signal of the city’s values and not an actionable document, but Councilmember Mai Vang said she is looking to take things a step further.
In an interview with CapRadio Friday, Vang said she is drafting a resolution with support from Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes and Mayor Pro Tem Eric Guerra to attempt to ban immigration enforcement on city-owned properties.
“The city needs to go further,” Vang said. “Sacramento is not immune to the horrors that’s unfolding in Minnesota and across the country.”
Vang, who is running for Congress in California’s District 7, told CapRadio the resolution would direct the city manager to work with council and staff to figure out the best way to implement the ban.
“ We are seeing armed mass federal agents bursting into homes without a warrant picking up US citizens off the street, taking our elders detaining children to use as bait,” Vang said. “If we wait for ICE to be knocking down doors here in Sacramento, we’re gonna be too late.”
Councilmember Eric Guerra said Sacramento is looking at cities like Chicago that have implemented similar policies.
Is it legal?
City policy like this is nuanced, according to UC Davis Professor of Law Raquel Aldana.
This is because, usually, limiting immigration enforcement activity could mean limiting public access to spaces.
“ It may be that we may enter into a space where public access also has to be more constrained, in order to keep ICE out of the buildings that are otherwise owned by cities,” Aldana said.
Aldana said she believes it’s possible come up with policies that have teeth, but there is much to balance.
“ I think cities also have to think not just in terms of who owns the building,” she said. “They may have to go further and think about how are we gonna balance our objectives to keep access for the public for purposes of doing business while also restricting the ability of law enforcement to simply walk in.”
The proposed resolution will go to Sacramento’s Law and Legislation Committee Feb. 10 at the earliest, should Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty approve it. If the committee were to favor it, the full city council would then make the final decision.
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