San Rafael police outline nonparticipation in federal immigration enforcement under SB 54

San Rafael Police Captain Roy Leon told the Police Advisory and Accountability Committee on Feb. 19 that the department will limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities consistent with Senate Bill 54, also called the California Values Act, and with the San Rafael Police DepartmentPolicy 4.13.

"The primary purpose of Senate Bill 54 is to limit the involvement of state and local agencies in federal immigration enforcement with the goal of protecting immigrant communities," Captain Roy Leon said, outlining the law's effective date (Jan. 1, 2018) and the department policy that officers should not investigate, interrogate, detain or arrest people for civil immigration violations.

The department's written policy, Leon said, directs officers not to collect or share information about a person's immigration status and not to transfer people into ICE custody for deportation purposes except where state law allows exceptions for certain criminal convictions or active criminal investigations into violent crimes. "It is the policy of the San Rafael Police Department that all members make a personal and professional commitment to equitably enforce the law and to provide equal service to the public," Leon said.

Why it matters: Committee members and many community speakers said they are anxious after recent national developments and want clear, usable…