Davis commission schedules Sept. 10 outreach forum on immigration, policing

The commission’s outreach subcommittee announced an education forum set for Thursday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Center to bring community members, people with lived experience of homelessness, advocates and legal experts together to discuss homelessness, housing and policing issues.

The subcommittee said the event, hosted by a community group referred to in the meeting as Housing for All Davis, will include a panel of people who have experienced homelessness and advocates and will address topics that the subcommittee expected to draw community concern, including potential police harassment. Organizers said they are finalizing the program, arranging translation services and working on safety and marketing logistics.

Commission members asked that the city auditor’s office be represented at the forum and requested that either Stephen or a staff member named Michael provide a presentation on the evolving legal and policy landscape involving local law enforcement and the jurisdictional limits of federal immigration enforcement. The subcommittee also said it hopes to confirm an immigration-law practitioner to speak and that the Davis Police Department’s deputy chief had been offered the date and placed it on the calendar.

Community groups identified during the discussion—several members cited outreach to organizations including the Yolo Immigration Action Network and local interfaith groups—told commissioners they appreciated the opportunity to be part of the conversation. Subcommittee members emphasized outreach and translation planning to make the event accessible.

The forum date was set as part of the commission’s outreach-subcommittee report; staff and commissioners said they will continue to share logistical details and speaker confirmations with the full commission as plans solidify.