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Residents urge board to review sheriff's role in Homeland Security task force and fusion center
Summary
Multiple public commenters pressed the board to investigate Sacramento County Sheriff participation in the Homeland Security Task Force and the Central California Intelligence Center, citing potential conflicts with SB 54, civil liberties, and prior county settlements.
A cluster of public commenters on July 14 urged the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors to scrutinize the sheriff's office's recent partnerships with federal task forces and the Central California Intelligence Center (CCIC), saying the collaborations could jeopardize county compliance with California sanctuary protections (SB 54).
Francis Liu, PhD (Decarcerate Sacramento) told the board the CCIC's Memorandum of Understanding "contains explicit contract language that prohibits state and local governments from restricting communication with the Department of Homeland Security regarding an individual citizenship or an immigration status," and warned the county could be exposed to legal risk. Liu also referenced a past county settlement related to SB 54, saying the county paid at least $200,000 in 2022 to resolve alleged violations.
Other speakers echoed those concerns and urged the board to pause or investigate sheriff participation in federal-led programs that prioritize immigration enforcement. AJ Albano, speaking remotely for Decarcerate Sacramento, said the federal shift in priorities and recent executive orders prompted the county's earlier May vote and that the board should not "rubber stamp partnerships that advance those federal priorities."
County staff and supervisors did not vote on any sheriff agreements at this meeting; several speakers asked the board to request formal information or staff reports about how the sheriff's participation complies with state law and existing county resolutions recognizing sanctuary policies.
What happens next: Speakers requested the board seek more information. The transcript records calls for staff follow-up but no formal county investigation or directive recorded at this meeting.
