Following growing concern about the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration, the Martinez City Council on Wednesday took steps to approve a resolution expressing support for the city’s immigrant community.
The language of the resolution is still being fine-tuned, but its goal is to express the local government’s allegiance to both undocumented and documented immigrants. Council members are likely to vote and approve a refined version of the resolution at the next council meeting on March 15.
“The City shall not expand resources to conduct sweeps or other concentrated efforts for the purpose of locating and/or detaining persons who are solely suspected of being illegally present in the United States,” a copy of the draft resolution states. It can be read in full below.
Here is a draft of resolution MTZ City Council is thinking of adopting. DeLaney notes grammar errors, but says "it's great" otherwise. pic.twitter.com/JaZHvrWyAn — Gillian Edevane (@GillianNBC) March 2, 2017
The resolution stops short of making Martinez a “sanctuary city,” an important distinction that irked some who came to speak during public comment. City manager Brad Kilger noted that strengthening the wording or creating an ordinance declaring Martinez a “sanctuary city” would not qualify as a minor revision and “would require much deeper discussion.”
Kilger also cautioned that “engaging” the federal government by passing sanctuary ordinances could have drastic consequences. He was likely referring to an executive order that promises to yank funding for cities that provide safe havens for undocumented immigrants.
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Still, passing the resolution could be a first and immediate step to show support for the city’s vulnerable populations, giving time for the more in-depth discussions to unfold, Mayor Rob Schroder said. The rate at which President Donald Trump has been signing executive orders has expedited the need for a resolution, he concluded.
“I would like to adopt something as soon as possible…” he said. “I think it’s important we do something now.”
Nationwide, reports about ICE raids have rattled immigrant populations and advocate groups, leading to a stronger push for immigrant-friendly policies. Richmond is currently the only city in Contra Costa County that has adopted sanctuary city ordinances, though several school boards have passed “safe haven” resolutions since Trump’s inauguration.
“I know that there are hundreds if not thousands of families in the Martinez community that are living in fear every day, that they may not see each other after they send their children to school in the morning,” Martinez resident Jonathan Wright, who serves on the Martinez’s Board of Education, said. “…I urge the council to make Martinez a sanctuary city.”
The degree to which Martinez Police collaborates with ICE was another issue many commenters wanted to see addressed in the resolution.
During the meeting, Martinez Chief of Police Majit Sappal said the police department does not currently aid immigration officers unless there is a warrant for a person or probable cause for arrest. He added that his officers don’t participate in ICE raids or sweeps, but said they are required to block off streets for public safety in the event a raid unfolded within city limits.
“If immigration shows up here tomorrow and says, 'We need some help to go do some sweeps — just for immigration — we’re not going to do it,” Sappal said. “I would point out though that if immigration showed up and were doing whatever they do, and created some kind of public safety issue for us … then we’re going to do that for public safety, not for helping them with their sweeps.”
Other local law enforcement agencies do collaborate with ICE more closely, notably the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department. Undocumented immigrants who are arrested and taken to the Martinez jail fall under the sheriff’s purview and could be subject to ICE holds.
“They have their own obligations and follow their own laws as to whether they notify immigration or not,” Sappal said. “We are not a part of that process.”
A refined version of the resolution will appear before the board on March 15. All city council members approved putting it on the agenda.
