County of Sonoma
State of California
Date: January 10, 2025
Item Number: 2
Resolution Number:25-0015
☐ 4/5 Vote Required
Resolution Of The Board Of Supervisors Of The County Of Sonoma, State Of California,
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO UPHOLD THE CIVIL RIGHTS , DIGNITY, HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR IMMIGRANT POPULATION
AND ALL SONOMA COUNTY RESIDENTS
WHEREAS, Sonoma County is home to persons of diverse racial, ethnic, and national backgrounds, including a large immigrant population as noted in the Portrait of Sonoma County; and
WHEREAS, all County immigrant residents, whether they are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, undocumented residents, refugees, or residents with any other immigration status, are valued and integral members of our social, cultural, and economic fabric; and WHEREAS, the national rhetoric regarding immigration during and since the 2024 National Presidential Election has resulted in concerns and uncertainty among many, including but not limited to immigrants, vulnerable residents, and families in our community, across our State, and across our nation; and
WHEREAS, the County endeavors to safeguard public health and safety, which relies on trust and cooperation between all residents and local law enforcement; and to strengthen communities and foster trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, the County has enacted various laws and policies; and
WHEREAS, in 2017 the Board of Supervisors adopted the Resolution Affirming the County’s Commitment To Diversity And To Safeguarding The Civil Rights, Safety And Dignity Of All Our Residents; and
Resolution #25-0015
Date: January 10, 2025
WHEREAS, in 2017, The Board authorized the extension of the Unaccompanied Child Deportation Defense Program (commenced September 23, 2014); approved the Sonoma County Immigration Initiative proposal; adopted the Resolution to Protect and Support Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA); and authorized the County Counsel to execute a Funding Agreement and serve on an Advisory Committee with the Community Foundation Sonoma County to create the Sonoma County Secure Families Fund; and WHEREAS, the Board has approved funding to support a rapid response network, approved funding for removal defense services through the Public Defender’s Office and funded local non-profit legal service organizations to assist in representing Sonoma County residents in removal defense since 2018; and
WHEREAS, the statewide TRUST Act (AB 4) California Trust Act limits the circumstances under which local law enforcement can detain individuals on behalf of federal immigration authorities; and
WHEREAS, the statewide TRUTH Act (AB 2792) California Truth Act ensures transparency and oversight regarding local law enforcement’s communication with federal immigration authorities; and
WHEREAS, the statewide VALUES Act (SB 54) California Values Act limits the circumstances under which local law enforcement may use funds or personnel to support immigration enforcement. It also prevents police and sheriff’s deputies from asking about an individual’s immigration status, from sharing a person’s personal information with immigration authorities, unless otherwise required or permitted by law, or from arresting anyone only for having a deportation removal order or for most other immigration violations; and WHEREAS, the California Education Code (link) prohibits schools from adopting policies or practices and discriminate against or hinder access to school services based on immigration status, and restricts schools from collecting or sharing information about immigration status; and
WHEREAS, these laws have been enacted statewide as a deliberate declaration that California recognizes and values the contributions of immigrants in our communities. And while we acknowledge the federal government’s extensive legislation related to immigration regulation and enforcement, through these Acts we decline to participate in federal efforts to enforce such federal laws in our communities; and
Resolution #25-0015
Date: January 10, 2025
WHEREAS, in a letter to the community in November 2024, the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chiefs Association reaffirmed local police and sheriff’s commitment to the abovementioned state laws, and acknowledged that “participating in federal immigration enforcement undermines the trust and cooperation necessary for effecting policing” in our community; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors wants all residents of Sonoma County to know that interacting with local government, whether to access benefits, report a crime, file a legal document or any of the countless other ways a resident and government come together, should not put any resident at risk, regardless of immigration status. To that end, the Board directs all department staff, to the extent possible under law, to closely protect the personal information of clients, whether that information is collected at birth, marriage, or death, through the application of benefits for health, housing, or human services, through the county’s Ag Pass program, or other situations in which sensitive information is stored; and WHEREAS, in the interest of fostering inclusion for all residents of Sonoma County and our entire nation, the Board urges Congress to promptly legislate a pathway to Citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and to refrain from talk or action leading to mass or indiscriminate removals.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Sonoma does determine and declare as follows:
Unless required by state or federal law all County of Sonoma (“County”) departments, agencies, commissions, officers, agents, representatives, and employees are prohibited from using County resources, property, personnel, time, labor, or funds to:
(A) Investigate, interrogate, detain, detect, or arrest persons only for immigration enforcement purposes, (as defined in California Government Code § 7284.4(i)); or (B) Communicate with ICE regarding an individual’s immigration status (as defined in California Government Code § 7284.4(i)), except as required by 8 U.S.C. § 1373 or other federal law.
Be it further resolved, that the County has created a centralized webpage of information, including but not limited to the existing legislative measures in place applicable in Sonoma County protecting individuals against the cooperation between state and local government officials and ICE, resources for immigrant communities including legal resources, the Secure Families Collaborative, and the Public Defender’s office.
Resolution #25-0015
Date: January 10, 2025
Be it further resolved, that County staff shall develop protocols and procedures to make training for staff on how to address ICE agents regarding the sharing of information and the prohibitions of it.
Be it further resolved, that the Board directs county staff to place disclosures regarding the use of program participants’ personal information in office lobbies and County-sponsored community facing webpages.
Be it further resolved, that the County department leadership will provide for trainings as relevant and necessary to county staff regarding existing legislative measures, TraumaInformed Care, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Cultural Proficiency, Unconscious Bias, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, and the values of a multicultural society.
Be it further resolved, that the Board of Supervisors reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the civil rights of all our residents to the fullest extent provided by the law.
Supervisors:
Hermosillo: Aye Rabbitt: Absent Coursey: Aye Gore: Aye Hopkins: Aye Ayes: 4 Noes: 0 Absent: 1 Abstain: 0
So Ordered.