Bakersfield officials are considering a policy that could formally designate the city as a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants, sparking a contentious debate among residents.
Opponents packed the City Council meeting Wednesday to urge city leaders to reject the concept.
The big picture: The council has not approved a sanctuary city ordinance or scheduled a final vote.
The proposal emerged after dozens of immigration advocates attended the July 15 council meeting and asked the city to adopt stronger protections for immigrant families.
Councilman Andrae Gonzales referred the proposal to the council’s Laws and Legislation Committee, which will examine whether Bakersfield should adopt a resolution establishing its position on immigration enforcement.
Vice Mayor Manpreet Kaur also asked the city attorney to organize a public forum concerning local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
What supporters are saying: Advocates argue that stepped-up federal immigration enforcement has left Bakersfield families afraid to drive, attend school, report crimes or access public services.
“Right now, there is a family in this city deciding whether it is safe to drive to the grocery store,” resident Lindsey Parker said during the July meeting, according to 23ABC.
Supporters say a sanctuary policy would build trust between immigrant communities and local government by limiting the city’s involvement in federal immigration enforcement.
What opponents are saying: Critics argue that California law already restricts how local police departments may cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
They also contend that a sanctuary designation could create confusion, encourage resistance to federal agents and expose the city to potential financial or legal consequences.
Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood called the proposed designation politically motivated and said it would have little practical effect.
“A sanctuary city means absolutely nothing,” Youngblood told 23ABC.
Councilman Larry Koman has also questioned whether city staff should spend time developing a policy when immigration enforcement is primarily governed by state and federal law.
The backstory: Bakersfield police officers already operate under restrictions imposed by the California Values Act, commonly known as Senate Bill 54.
The department’s existing policy says officers generally may not detain someone solely because of their immigration status or collect immigration information unless it is relevant to another criminal offense.
That raises questions about what a formal sanctuary city policy would change beyond establishing the council’s political position and potentially placing additional restrictions on city employees.
Kern County has historically opposed sanctuary policies. Youngblood says his department follows state law but cooperates with federal immigration authorities when legally permitted in cases involving qualifying crimes.
What’s next: The council’s Laws and Legislation Committee will review the proposal before it can return to the full City Council.
City officials are also expected to hold a special public forum regarding immigration enforcement and local cooperation with federal authorities.
Any formal sanctuary city designation would require additional council action.