Council pressed for ‘bold statement’ on immigration

‘Sanctuary’ a little too bold for some; Council to form resolution subcommittee|

Nearly 100 people packed the Sonoma City Council chambers Wednesday night to lobby city leaders to take a firm stand in opposition to what is expected to be a federal crackdown on undocumented immigrants.

The unusually high turnout at the Community Meeting Room was in reaction to the Trump administration’s broad new policies that expand the reach of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. Recent anti-immigration executive orders have unnerved Sonoma minority communities to the point, say local officials, where they may not report crimes, call 911 in an emergency, or even leave their homes.

More than 30 people spoke at the Feb. 22 meeting, many imploring the City Council to draft a resolution of support for local undocumented residents in, as Valley resident David Eichar put it, “the strongest terms.”

“In the strongest terms, say that you support the ideas of a sanctuary city,” said Eichar, referring to cities that openly express a very limited degree of cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. “Say that you support this community.”

The specific issue the Council was considering at the meeting was whether members wanted to draft a resolution in support of the local immigrant community and, if so, gather feedback on what that future resolution might say.

The majority of speakers at the meeting pressed the Council to either declare Sonoma a sanctuary city or to at least voice opposition to the immigration crackdown in no uncertain terms.

“Bold, decisive, clear action is needed,” said former Sonoma City Councilmember Steve Barbose. “We need to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with these communities that have been sanctuary cities.”

Several Sonoma County municipalities are also considering resolutions in support of undocumented residents. So far, other county towns have been shy about using the provocative term “sanctuary” in their statements.

The Trump administration has threatened so-called sanctuary cities with disciplinary action – such as the withholding of federal grant funds – upon communities that willfully ignore federal immigration enforcement policies. According to the California Trust Act, state and local law enforcement officers already adhere to a policy of very limited cooperation with ICE agents. Sonoma Police Chief Bret Sackett at the meeting stressed that county law enforcement officers will not question residents about their immigration status and that the County’s communications with ICE agents are rare and typically limited to confirming the release dates of people arrested for violent crimes.

Sonoma resident Logan Harvey, however, wasn’t reassured, noting that Sonoma County Sheriff Steve Freitas was one of a small handful of Bay Area law enforcement officials who recently met with newly confirmed Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a longtime champion of tough-on-immigration policies.

Harvey said that, while calling oneself a “sanctuary city” is partly symbolic, “it’s important that we be symbolic.”

“We began this meeting by standing and saluting a symbol – the American flag,” said Harvey. “Symbols matter.”

Peter Dawson voiced concern that the Trump administration was “giving the KKK and all the other hate groups legitimacy.”

“It takes a lot of courage by those that are not affected,” he said, referring to the need for citizens to speak out. “I hope you have the courage to declare this a sanctuary city – and that we don’t do the Nazi thing.”

Not everyone limited their concern to minorities from south of the border, which has been the expressed target of the administration’s recent clampdown.

Sonoma resident Celeste Winters said she is Muslim and wondered if “perhaps my family is next.” Winters called for the Council to use “very strong language” in its declaration.

Hank Martinsen spoke as a member of the LGBTQ community.

“Ever since I knew I was gay, I wondered how the Jews in Germany knew when it was time to leave,” said Martinsen. “I’m wondering that now.”

Marilyn Goode recalled the Japanese internments during World War II. “I grew up in San Francisco and I remember the Japanese children taken away,” said Goode, who voiced her support for the word “sanctuary,” because it “sounds better than all the waffling going on in other towns around here.”

Juan Hernandez, the executive director of the nonprofit La Luz Center, which provides services for many in the Hispanic community, said a citywide show of support would especially resonate with children who fear the breakup of their families.

“Some people say it is a gesture, but it is a gesture that resonates in the high schools, the elementary schools and the preschools,” said Hernandez. “We have to make a decision – what are you going to act on? What are you going to do?”

As to that question, the Council was in agreement in its support for a resolution, but not yet firm in its content. The Council agreed to form a two-member subcommittee to draft wording for the declaration.

None of the council members, however, spoke in support of using the word “sanctuary.” Councilmembers Gary Edwards and David Cook were especially lukewarm on the prospect.

“Poking someone in the eye with the word ‘sanctuary’ doesn’t make sense to me,” said Edwards. “Our homes should be our sanctuary.”

Cook wondered if using a provocative term like “sanctuary” would be akin to seceding from the union, as it openly bucks federal law. Cook, however, was hopeful that a resolution would carry weight in the community and thanked the Sheriff’s Office for explaining its policies and addressing the need to stop much of the misinformation that’s going around.

Mayor Rachel Hundley was the councilmember who had asked that discussion of a resolution be agendized that night. “When people are living in fear and don’t feel supported, it can erode community and lead to a toxic environment,” she said, explaining her request to have the item considered.

Councilmember Madolyn Agrimonti suggested the Council wait to see how the County of Sonoma and the Sonoma Valley Unified School District word the similar resolutions they’re considering. “It’s wonderful that we’re tackling it,” added Agrimonti.

The Council plans to approve the creation of a two-person subcommittee of Hundley and Cook at its next meeting on March 6.

Email Jason at jason.walsh@sonomanews.com.

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