Council reaffirms compliance with California Values Act amid federal enforcement scrutiny

The Carpinteria City Council on March 10 unanimously adopted Resolution No. 6372 reaffirming the city’s commitment to compliance with the California Values Act (SB 54) amid recent federal executive orders and enforcement litigation.

City counsel and outside legal counsel briefed the council on the state law’s prohibitions — including limits on honoring immigration detainers without a judicial warrant, transfer of individuals to ICE custody absent qualifying convictions, and restrictions on use of local resources for federal immigration enforcement — and noted SB 54 was previously challenged and survived judicial review.

"Compliance with California state law is required and SB 54 was previously upheld in the courts in 2019," outside counsel said, and staff recommended reaffirming the city’s position while developing internal staff guidance.

Why it matters: The Trump administration’s recent memoranda and litigation strategy targeting jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities have raised concerns nationwide. Councilmembers and speakers emphasized the primary objective is protecting immigrant community safety and clarifying staff procedures when federal agents interact with city facilities.

Staff follow-up: The council directed staff to complete a formal city policy that sets clear guidelines for staff interactions with federal immigration authorities, including how staff should respond if federal agents seek access to city facilities or records.

Ending: With the resolution adopted, the council signaled legal and policy support for SB 54, while staff will finalize a written internal policy and continue monitoring federal litigation and guidance.