Message from Chief Cregan and the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chiefs Association Regarding Local Law Enforcement’s Role in Immigration and Deportation Operations

In recent months, Sonoma County law enforcement leaders have heard community concerns related to local immigrants and the potential for mass deportations. Sonoma County has a rich culture of being a supportive, diverse, and thriving community that uplifts each other. Law enforcement leaders throughout Sonoma County are committed to preserving community safety and holding those who commit crimes accountable. An individual's immigration status is not relevant to criminal investigations, nor does it impact the mission of our local law enforcement jurisdictions. The Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chiefs Association (SCLECA) has drafted a statement to clarify any role local law enforcement has in immigration and deportation operations. SCLECA includes the 12 Chiefs, the Sonoma County Sheriff, and the Sonoma County District Attorney. Please see the below message from The Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chiefs Association.

To view that SCLECA message online, the Santa Rosa Police Department’s policy related to immigration, and the City of Santa Rosa’s resolution naming Santa Rosa an “Indivisible City,” click the following link: https://www.srcity.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2799

Message from the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chiefs Association 

As law enforcement leaders in Sonoma County, we want to provide clarity and assurance regarding our role and actions in relation to immigration and deportation operations. We understand that immigration enforcement is a sensitive issue for many members of our community, and it is important to us that we communicate our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all community members, regardless of their immigration status.

We want to make it explicitly clear that local law enforcement agencies in Sonoma County do not participate in federal immigration enforcement operations. This includes, but is not limited to, activities such as inquiring about a person’s immigration status, detaining individuals based on federal immigration detainers, assisting in immigration enforcement investigations, or sharing information with federal agencies related to an individual’s immigration status.

Our policies are in full alignment with California state laws that are designed to protect the rights of all residents, including those who are undocumented. Below are some of the key laws that guide our practices and ensure that local law enforcement agencies do not engage in federal immigration enforcement:

1. California Values Act (SB 54) prohibits state and local law enforcement from detaining individuals based solely on federal immigration detainers or transferring them to Immigration and Custom Enforcement (I.C.E.) custody without a valid federal or state warrant. This law also prevents us from asking individuals about their immigration status and restricts the use of agency resources for immigration enforcement purposes including interrogation, investigation, detention, detection, or arrest for immigration-related matters.

2. TRUTH Act (AB 2792) provides additional transparency by requiring that local law enforcement inform individuals in custody of their rights before I.C.E. agents interview them. Specifically, we are required to provide a written consent form to individuals before any interview by I.C.E. agents. Furthermore, the TRUTH Act mandates a community forum once a year if the local agency has provided I.C.E. agents access to individuals in their custody.

3. TRUST Act (AB 4) prohibits local law enforcement from detaining individuals on the basis of an I.C.E. hold alone once they are eligible for release, except in certain cases where the individual has been charged with or convicted of specific serious crimes. This ensures that individuals are not held in custody simply due to their immigration status.

Our commitment to these laws reflects our dedication to fostering trust between local law enforcement and the diverse communities we serve. It is our responsibility to protect and serve everyone in Sonoma County, regardless of their immigration status. By upholding these legal standards, we ensure that all individuals can engage with law enforcement without fear of immigration-related consequences, and that everyone, regardless of background, can feel safe in their communities.

We want to emphasize that Sonoma County law enforcement agencies are focused on public safety and crime prevention. Our mission is to protect the community as a whole, and we believe that participating in federal immigration enforcement undermines the trust and cooperation necessary for effective policing. We urge all community members to continue working with us in building safe, inclusive neighborhoods where everyone can thrive.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding. We are honored to serve and protect all community members of Sonoma County.