Board of Supervisors overrides Newsom veto of sanctuary ordinance

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted 8-3 to override Mayor Gavin Newsom's veto of an ordinance that would amend the city's sanctuary policy.

Supervisor Campos, the lead champion of the measure, framed the issue as one of public safety and community trust. "It is about public safety," Campos said, arguing that people who fear immigration enforcement are less likely to report crimes or cooperate with police. He cited an editorial and examples discussed at the dais about witnesses and youth who had been detained and later identified as not subject to criminal charges.

Supporters told the board the ordinance had been the product of more than a year of community work and cosponsorship by several supervisors. Campos thanked the students, community organizers and families who testified and called the vote "historic." He said critics should work with the board to implement the law if the veto was overridden.

Opponents included three supervisors who voted to sustain the mayor's veto; the transcript recorded three "no" votes. The clerk recorded 8 ayes and 3 noes; the motion to override the veto therefore passed. The clerk opened the roll call by noting that a yes vote would override the veto and a no vote would sustain it, citing Charter Section 2.106.

Vote tally (roll call as recorded): Aleoto Pier: no; Avalos: aye; Campos: aye; Chiu/Chu: recorded both aye and a later vote of no for one seat (see transcript roll-call sequencing); Daley/Daly: aye; Duffy/Dufty: aye; Ellsberg: no; Mar/Marr: aye; Maxwell: aye; Mercarimi/Mercarini: aye. The clerk announced "There are 8 ayes and 3 noes." The board took the action to override the mayor's veto.

Why it matters: Supporters said the change is intended to protect public safety by ensuring all community members feel safe reporting crimes to police without fear of immigration consequences. Opponents questioned timing and legal implications; the mayor had earlier released a veto. The board cited Charter Section 2.106 in framing the vote.

Next steps: With the veto overridden, the ordinance will move forward according to the city's ordinance enactment process unless stayed by other legal action. Supervisors urged the mayor's office to work on implementation if the law takes effect.

Speakers (from transcript): Supervisor Campos (lead sponsor); Supervisor Avalos; President Chiu/Chu (presiding); Supervisor Daley; Supervisor Duffy/Dufty; Supervisor Ellsberg; Supervisor Mar/Marr; Supervisor Maxwell; Supervisor Mercarimi/Mercarini; Aleoto Pier (recorded "no").