February 11, 2025
Honorable Lena Gonzalez
California State Senate
Senate District 33
1021 O Street, Suite 8610
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Senate Bill 48 (Gonzalez): Immigration Enforcement: Schoolsites: Prohibitions on Access, Sharing Information, and Law Enforcement Collaboration Dear Senator Gonzalez:
On behalf of the City of Salinas, I write to express our support for your measure, Senate Bill (SB) 48. This bill would prohibit school officials and employees of a local educational agency from allowing an officer or employee of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enter a school for any purpose without providing valid identification, a written statement of purpose, and a valid judicial warrant, and receiving approval from the superintendent of the school district, the superintendent of the county office of education, or the principal of the charter school.
The City of Salinas recognizes its long and rich history of immigrants who have contributed to our local economy and become leaders in our community. We are a diverse city with foreign-born residents comprising over 38% of the City’s total population, and significant numbers of undocumented immigrants comprise our workforce in the agriculture, hospitality, and construction industries. The City of Salinas values a community where all residents—regardless of immigration status—can access vital services with confidence. Therefore, the City of Salinas wants to assure immigrants, refugees, and other newcomers opportunities for economic security, empowerment, and civic engagement, which are safe and free from discrimination, oppression, and violence, including safety to attend and work at our schools.
For these reasons, the City of Salinas supports Senate Bill. We urge our state legislature to give this vital measure the passage it deserves. We appreciate your leadership on this important issue and look forward to the positive impact SB 48 will have on the families of Salinas and communities across California.
Sincerely,
Dennis Donohue, Mayor
City of Salinas
cc: City Council
City Manager
City Attorney