Sacramento’s City Council unanimously voted to update its immigration platform on Tuesday night, aiming to better protect residents from federal immigration agents after hours of public comment.The city first adopted this immigration platform in 2017, outlining its commitment to embracing and protecting immigrant and refugee communities. City leaders believe the updated platform will enhance protections for those living in Sacramento from ICE operations.In a packed chamber, hundreds of residents voiced their opinions to the council. One speaker emphasized the importance of standing up for neighbors and communities under attack by ICE. “Even though it was a unanimous vote, it was four and a half hours of public comment because that’s how angry people feel about what’s happening in Minnesota and what the federal government is doing,” said Ethan Julian Zamora.The updated platform aims to align with state laws passed since 2017 and directs the city on how to respond to issues, including free speech and the use of municipal resources. “The policy platform directs the city on how to respond to issues. Clearly, issues of free speech, also making sure that municipal resources, our own city tax dollars, are used for city resources and not for the federal government,” said councilmember Eric Guerra.Sacramento has been a sanctuary city since 1985, choosing not to assist in federal immigration enforcement efforts. Other councilmembers, including Karina Talamantes, are working to further protect immigrants by drafting a resolution to ban immigration enforcement on city-owned properties.”That’s what the community is looking for. The Sacramento Police Department does not give information to ICE, and does not work with them. But people want to know what the Sacramento Police Department will do when they encounter someone who refuses to identify themselves, who is masked up, trying to kidnap someone,” said Talamantes.The separate resolution regarding city property will first need to be reviewed by the Law and Legislation Committee before returning to the full council at a later date.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Sacramento’s City Council unanimously voted to update its immigration platform on Tuesday night, aiming to better protect residents from federal immigration agents after hours of public comment.
The city first adopted this immigration platform in 2017, outlining its commitment to embracing and protecting immigrant and refugee communities. City leaders believe the updated platform will enhance protections for those living in Sacramento from ICE operations.
In a packed chamber, hundreds of residents voiced their opinions to the council. One speaker emphasized the importance of standing up for neighbors and communities under attack by ICE.
“Even though it was a unanimous vote, it was four and a half hours of public comment because that’s how angry people feel about what’s happening in Minnesota and what the federal government is doing,” said Ethan Julian Zamora.
The updated platform aims to align with state laws passed since 2017 and directs the city on how to respond to issues, including free speech and the use of municipal resources.
“The policy platform directs the city on how to respond to issues. Clearly, issues of free speech, also making sure that municipal resources, our own city tax dollars, are used for city resources and not for the federal government,” said councilmember Eric Guerra.
Sacramento has been a sanctuary city since 1985, choosing not to assist in federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Other councilmembers, including Karina Talamantes, are working to further protect immigrants by drafting a resolution to ban immigration enforcement on city-owned properties.
“That’s what the community is looking for. The Sacramento Police Department does not give information to ICE, and does not work with them. But people want to know what the Sacramento Police Department will do when they encounter someone who refuses to identify themselves, who is masked up, trying to kidnap someone,” said Talamantes.
The separate resolution regarding city property will first need to be reviewed by the Law and Legislation Committee before returning to the full council at a later date.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel