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Human Relations Commission forms committee on sanctuary-city protections and immigrant safety
Summary
The commission created a subcommittee to review Davis policy and to develop actions to protect immigrants and coordinate community response should enforcement activity increase.
The Davis Human Relations Commission on Jan. 23 approved creation of a subcommittee to review the city’s sanctuary policy and related measures to protect immigrant residents.
Commissioners said the topic is "multifaceted" and urged the new working group to consider both policy language and practical planning, including coordination with community organizations, schools, houses of worship and UC Davis.
"This involves the threats that immigration officials and the administration have made, not only with respect to places that have been off limits for raids, schools, places of worship, etc.," Chair Kevin Baker said in opening remarks, calling for broad consideration of policy and community response.
Commissioners discussed specific tasks the subcommittee could pursue, such as: reviewing current city sanctuary language, examining whether city practices (for example, recordkeeping or staff procedures) should be adjusted, exploring coordination with local institutions, and identifying outreach and education steps. Commissioner Felix and others raised operational ideas, including helping institutions develop plans should enforcement appear in public spaces and facilitating cross-institutional planning.
Several commissioners volunteered to serve on the subcommittee. The commission appointed Lainie Felix, Connor and Kate (last name not specified in transcript) and Edgar (absent but expected to participate) to the working group and recorded the motion to create the committee as carried.
The commission said the subcommittee should consult community organizers and existing local groups already engaged on immigrant-rights work and return recommendations to the commission for potential referral to city council.
No budget or council action is required to create the working group; however, the commission noted that formal endorsements or city-sponsored events emerging from the group would require council review and approval.
