Burbank council directs staff to draft citywide sanctuary policy extending SB 54 protections

The Burbank City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to ask staff to draft a citywide policy extending the principles of California's SB 54 (the California Values Act) across all city departments and to publish public "know your rights" information for residents.

Assistant City Manager Courtney Padgett told the council that "the term Sanctuary City refers to jurisdictions that adopt policies to protect undocumented immigrants by limiting jurisdictional cooperation with Federal Immigration Enforcement," and reviewed current state laws that already limit local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

The vote follows nearly three hours of public comment, during which dozens of residents urged the council to adopt stronger local protections. "I support Burbank becoming a sanctuary city," said Vicki Kirschenbaum, introducing herself as a long-time resident, echoing many callers and speakers who said fear of immigration enforcement has reduced reporting of crimes and use of medical and school services.

Nut graf: Council members said they wanted to give city staff clear direction without…