Sutter supervisors to consider letter against ‘sanctuary state’ bill

Worry over impact on law enforcement’s ability to do its job

The Sutter County Board of Supervisors will consider an opposition letter to state legislation dubbed the “sanctuary state” bill at its meeting today.

Senate Bill 54, officially titled the California Values Act, is intended to limit state and local law enforcement agencies’ involvement in immigration enforcement.

Authored by state Sen. Kevin de Leon, a Los Angeles Democrat, the bill was approved along party lines in the Senate and awaits further action in the Assembly.

According to the Office of the County Administrator, the bill would prohibit local law enforcement from participating in joint task forces with federal agencies primarily focused on immigration enforcement. It would also prohibit law enforcement from using funds, property and equipment for purposes of investigating, interrogating or detaining persons for immigration enforcement purposes.

Additionally, it would repeal a state health and safety code which requires law enforcement agencies to notify federal immigration officials of an arrest of a person for specified controlled substance- related offenses when there is reason to believe the suspect may be in the country illegally.

Supervisor Jim Whiteaker said he intends to vote in support of the opposition letter. Whiteaker’s support is aligned with the stance of the California Peace Officers’ Association, the California State Sheriff’s Association and Sutter County Sheriff J. Paul Parker.

“I feel it limits state and local law enforcement’s ability to enforce the law,” Whiteaker said. “It puts law enforcement in a bad position.”

Parker supports the position developed through the state’s Sheriff’s Association.

“Sheriffs do not wish to act as immigration police, nor are they, and we protect everyone in our communities regardless of immigration status,” the association stated. “That said, we need to continue to cooperate with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who victimize our communities are not given unnecessary opportunities to do more harm.”

One concern, stated in the opposition letter, is the bill’s lack of clarity on the ability of local law enforcement to communicate with federal agencies. Of specific note is the ability to communicate with the FBI and not Immigration and Customs Enforcement, when a person serving a term for a misdemeanor sentence who also has a prior felony conviction is about to be released.

Supervisor Larry Munger said he intends to wait on further information before casting his vote and might choose to abstain. Munger said there is no good position in support or opposition to the legislation and the matter should not have come to the board.

Munger said he is in support of removing gang-affiliated people and drug dealers, but that a lot of people in this country without documentation are doing a good job.

If approved, copies of the letter will be mailed to state representatives and members of the appropriate legislative committees.

Both local legislators, state Sen. Jim Nielsen and Assemblyman James Gallagher, oppose SB 54.

U.S. Rep. John Garamendi said the issue highlights the necessity of comprehensive immigration reform that needs to be passed through Congress.

The bill is backed by the California School Boards Association and the American Civil Liberties Union.

The California State Association of Counties and the Rural County Representatives of California have not taken stances on the bill.

Completed applications for the Rideout Hospital Auxiliary scholarship are due by May 31. Incorrect information appeared in “Apply for Auxiliary scholarship” published Sunday in Education Briefs in the Family and Friends section.

* Tickets for the Marysville Art Club Mothers Day Tea can be purchased from Linda Carpenter at J L and Co. in Yuba City. The incorrect name appeared in “Tickets available for Mothers Day Tea” published Sunday in Life Briefs in the Family and Friends section. Marysville office, 1530 Ellis Lake Drive Business hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.