The Foster City Council passed a resolution affirming that, in accordance with local and state law, the use of city- and county-owned property for civil immigration purposes is prohibited, while adding that violations to the law would trigger public notification.
The resolution comes amid heightened concerns about federal immigration activity, and many jurisdictions throughout the region have passed similar policies clarifying existing state and local laws banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers from using city- and county resources for the purpose of civil enforcement. Local law enforcement agencies are also prohibited from providing information and resources to ICE officers for civil enforcement.
Some policies, such as Senate Bill 54, have been in place for about eight years, while others, such as SB 805 are newer and require that “law enforcement officers that are not in uniform visibly display identification that includes their agency and either name or badge number to the public when performing their enforcement duties,” City Attorney Benjamin Stock said during a council meeting April 21.
The city’s existing local ordinance also mirrors state policy, however, Stock said the new resolution adds that, if ICE officers violate these rules, it would trigger a mandated public notification.
“Those steps include directing the city manager or his designee to inform federal agents they cannot use city property for such purposes, document any refusal to comply and notify city staff and the public,” Stock said during the City Council meeting.
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The move is largely a preventative measure, as City Manager Stefan Chatwin said he is not aware of any violations occurring in Foster City. Some supporters of the resolution said, rather than making substantive policy changes, it clarifies and educates existing policy to those who are most at risk.
“It’s a fear factor. At the core, this is not a policy decision,” Jim Lawrence said during public comment. “The resolution draws that clear and appropriate boundary. It reinforces that the local government exists to serve the community, not an extension of ICE or any other government organization.”
Councilmember Phoebe Venkat, who initiated the discussion, said the resolution would help address “community concerns and regional concerns regarding transparency, local autonomy and the chilling effect that aggressive and violent federal enforcement can have on a community,” adding that it would “maintain public trust.”
So the Foster City Council passes a woke resolution that would result in potentially harshly worded letters of public notification but they’re unable to solve their geese poop problem? Ultimately, this woke resolution would not prevent federal immigration activity if they opted to use city- and county-owned property. This resolution, however, does cement Foster City’s so-called officials putting the welfare of criminals and terrorists over the American people. Shameful. Although I’m sure the geese appreciate Foster City wasting time on anything but them.
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So the Foster City Council passes a woke resolution that would result in potentially harshly worded letters of public notification but they’re unable to solve their geese poop problem? Ultimately, this woke resolution would not prevent federal immigration activity if they opted to use city- and county-owned property. This resolution, however, does cement Foster City’s so-called officials putting the welfare of criminals and terrorists over the American people. Shameful. Although I’m sure the geese appreciate Foster City wasting time on anything but them.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.