SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — The city of Oceanside has adopted a policy directing its police officers and other employees not to cooperate with federal immigration operations such as raids.
The resolution was passed Wednesday night by the Oceanside City Council.
Supporters say the goal is foster community trust by following state laws that limit affiliation with federal immigration enforcement.
The ordinance prohibits federal agents from entering non-public areas within city buildings or property unless they have a court-issued warrant.
It also does allow for the sharing of any sensitive or personal data with federal immigration agencies unless required by law.
The city will also generate a new website to include “know your rights” information in both English and Spanish.
Councilmember Jimmy Figueroa, who supported the notion and co-authored it, told reporters Oceanside must restrict immigration operations because the city has lots of “mixed-status families where not everyone is documented.”
“At the end of the day, for mixed-status families, those that are left behind, they’re here in our city,” said Figueroa. “And it’s up to us to figure out what we can do to help the folks in our community.”
The resolution also calls for designating safe areas for day laborers and assisting them with lawful permit applications.
About 60 speakers participated in the public comment period including Susan Custer who opposed the measure.
“This is not about hate or race,” she said. “This is about the law and people who have crossed the border illegally — all we are asking is to follow the law.”
Most of the resolution passed unanimously except for a clause that would provide public money to help those affected by ICE raids. It was turned down by a 3-2 margin.
Oceanside is located on the coast about 50 miles north of the border.
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