Marin residents urge supervisors to end sheriff's voluntary data-sharing with ICE

Dozens of residents urged the Marin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to end the county sheriff's voluntary participation in the federal State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, commonly called SCAP, saying the program exposes immigrants to detention and deportation.

Speakers at the meeting's public-comment period described SCAP as a financial incentive that results in local booking data being shared with federal immigration authorities and said publication of booking logs and other referrals have created fear and reduced use of health and school services among immigrant families. Peter Goetz, a District 1 resident, asked the board to place a specific agenda item so voters can learn each supervisor's position on the sheriff's participation in SCAP.

The repeated public appeals centered on two claims: that SCAP reimbursement encourages local reporting of people to federal immigration enforcement, and that the public release of booking logs and release dates can be used to locate and detain community members. Commenters asked the board to require the sheriff to explain the department's practices in a public setting, and several requested the Civilian Oversight Commission review the jail-to-ICE practices.

County Executive Derek Johnson responded that SCAP is a federal reimbursement program intended to offset local incarceration costs for people arrested on specified felony or repeat-misdemeanor charges and that participation is, in county staff's view, consistent with California's SB 54, which limits local involvement in immigration enforcement. Johnson also said SCAP reporting is distinct from activities barred by SB 54 and noted that SCAP cases are limited by the program's eligibility criteria. He told the board staff will continue to evaluate SCAP through "legal compliance, fiscal responsibility and alignment with county values" and would coordinate a public presentation with the sheriff's office.

Supervisors did not take immediate formal action on SCAP during the meeting. Several speakers asked the board to formally agendize the issue so the county can review the sheriff's cooperation in public and consider policy changes; staff said the newly established Civilian Oversight Commission will ultimately review policing-related matters as part of its work plan.

The board's public-record packet includes county staff references to SB 54 and the Truth Act; county staff emphasized that SCAP's reporting and reimbursement rules differ from the disclosure rules that govern other jail data. The board did not vote on any change to the sheriff's practices at Tuesday's meeting. The county executive said staff will continue outreach with community members and update the board as evaluations proceed.