PANA Strongly Opposes Board of Supervisors' Move to Join Trump Administration's Challenge to California's Sanctuary Laws
The Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans, PANA, is horrified that the San Diego County Board of Supervisors is considering joining the Trump administration's lawsuit against California's sanctuary laws.
The chair of the Board of Supervisors, Kristin Gaspar, announced yesterday that the Board will consider joining the Trump lawsuit, following the lead of their Orange County counterparts, saying it would be discussed at a closed session scheduled for April 17, 2018. Such a move would be a sharp slap in the face to the majority of San Diego voters and residents who support more humane immigration policies. The City of San Diego recently began to create a strategic plan to better welcome and support new arrivals, and Chula Vista, the county's second largest city, is a declared "Welcoming City," officially supporting the California Values Act, as are a number of smaller cities in the County.
California's Trust, Truth, and Values Act was passed into law last year to protect the safety and well-being of all Californians by keeping local and state law enforcement out of the deportation business. The law makes sure that resources are not used to separate families, assist in mass deportations, hamper law enforcement, and damage the state's economy. The law keeps schools, hospitals, libraries, and courthouses safe and accessible for everyone in the community. Federal law enforcement agents continue to enforce immigration laws, and indeed are doing so at breakneck speed under the Trump administration.
Studies show that fear of local law enforcement's involvement in deportations has a chilling effect on victims and witnesses of crime and their willingness to come forward. This is why the San Diego Sheriff's Department issued a strong statement saying they would comply with the Trust, Truth, and California Values Act, telling the Voice of San Diego, "Our deputies work hard to make our communities safer and we want to ensure all of our residents feel safe reporting crimes or coming forward as witnesses to criminal acts."
PANA is particularly troubled that the Board is choosing to consider the matter in closed session. We believe the Board is well aware that the majority of Californians strongly support the state's approach to immigration, and deeply oppose the Trump administration's radical policy recommendations. PANA calls on all San Diego County residents to make their voices heard on this issue.
Contact your supervisors TODAY! Find their contact info at www.sandiegocounty.gov/general/BOS or call 619.531.5600."