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Committee to review police immigration policy after public concerns; members cite federal funding risks
Summary
After public comments about an ICE action, committee members recommended consulting the police chief and law department about the police immigration enforcement policy and noted past 2017 "welcoming city" efforts and potential federal funding consequences.
The committee discussed a police immigration-enforcement policy following public concern about a recent ICE activity at a local restaurant and a prior 2017 "welcoming city" resolution that was not adopted.
Chair Jim Fosch introduced the item and said he had contacted the mayors office and reviewed materials including the police departments administrative policy and a 2017 draft ordinance that was never enacted. The committee learned that the police policy contains many elements similar to the 2017 draft and that the law department had previously advised caution about passing a local ordinance.
Several members urged starting with conversations with Police Chief Britain and the law department to understand how the departments policy operates in practice and whether the policy is consistent with federal and state law. Committee members also cited risks discussed in prior years: a 2017 draft resolution (identified in the record as "resolution 15 2017" or the "welcoming city" legislation) failed to reach consensus and staff had flagged possible consequences, including threats to federal funding. Committee members expressed concern that new local legislation could prompt federal enforcement or funding penalties and said they wanted legal and administrative input before considering new legislation.
No formal motion or vote was taken. The consensus was to have the chair or staff consult first with Police Chief Britain and the law department and to report back to the committee before any legislative action.
Ending: Staff will arrange discussions with Police Chief Britain and the law department and return to the committee with findings; no ordinance or formal legal change was proposed at this meeting.
