Sonoma City Council to discuss declaring ‘sanctuary'

Officials consider formal declaration of immigrant support in face of federal clampdown|

The Sonoma City Council on Wednesday will consider if and how it wants to affirm the city’s “commitment to diversity and to safeguarding the civil rights, safety and dignity” of all Sonoma residents.

That’s how the staff report to the Feb. 22 meeting describes the city’s foray into a discussion about whether to become a “sanctuary city.”

The issue of sanctuary cities has come before communities across the country with increasing frequency this winter, ever since President Trump vowed to deport tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants, placed the so-called travel ban on seven predominantly Muslim countries and called for a federal crackdown on sanctuary cities – those municipalities which openly pledge support for undocumented community members by limiting enforcement of federal immigration policies.

Several Bay Area communities with heavy Hispanic populations are reporting rumors of impending ICE raids. While such reports have so far merely been rumors, the effect has left local undocumented individuals and families – and the immigrant community in general -- with an increasing sense of alarm and inhibition.

In a show of unity, a handful of Sonoma County jurisdictions are considering formal declarations of support for their immigrant communities – the County of Sonoma, and the cities of Sebastopol and Santa Rosa among them – but some are stopping short of labeling themselves “sanctuary cities,” a term the Trump administration has said will potentially lead to a loss of federal grant funds.

Sonoma Mayor Rachel Hundley requested city officials put the topic up for discussion after the council’s Feb. 6 meeting, when about a dozen community members spoke during the public comment time to voice their support for city action in the face of a possible immigration crackdown.

According to the city staff report, no firm decisions are expected to be made at the meeting.

“The purpose of this item appearing on the Feb. 22 agenda is not to adopt a resolution, but to determine whether the Council desires to do so at a future meeting and, if so, to determine the content of that resolution,” reads the staff report.

The report lists three policies common to many sanctuary cities. Those include:

Not requiring proof of legal immigration status to access city services

Not questioning crime victims and witnesses about their immigration status

Limiting the city’s cooperation with federal authorities in the enforcement of federal immigration law

According to the California Trust Act, state law enforcement already does not engage in federal immigration enforcement – nor, adds the staff report, do Sonoma police officials detain, question or conduct sweeps for the purpose of learning residents’ immigration status.

President Trump’s Jan. 25 executive order warned that jurisdictions that “willfully refuse to comply” with immigration enforcement are not eligible to receive federal grants – a directive already being challenged in the courts by the City of San Francisco and one that would require consent from Congress to initiate.

According to Sonoma City Manager Cathy Capriola, federal grant funds received by the City of Sonoma include $2 million for the Chase Bridge Project along with various current or future applications for disaster preparedness or emergency response grants.

Sonoma resident Claudia Robbins was among the community members who spoke at the Feb. 6 meeting, urging the Council to adopt a “sanctuary” policy.

“This administration’s (policies) do affect Sonoma,” said Robbins. “It’s not a fantasy.”

The Sonoma City Council meeting takes place Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Community Meeting Room, 177 First St. W.

Email Jason at jason.walsh@sonomanews.com.

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