Hundreds of people from local unions, nonprofits, law enforcement and city government stood on the steps outside San Francisco City Hall to reaffirm the city’s sanctuary policy and stand in unity against President Donald Trump’s deportations of undocumented immigrants across the country.
“In San Francisco, we value our immigrant communities. We recognize your contributions to our city and we stand with you,” Mayor Daniel Lurie said. “This city is your home.”
Since Trump took office a little over a week ago, deportations have ramped up across the country as promised during his campaign. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, has conducted several raids throughout California, including the Bay Area.
On Friday, ICE allegedly conducted operations in downtown San Francisco, according to state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, and Olga Miranda, president of the SEIU Local 87 union. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan confirmed that ICE was also active in their city on Sunday.
“We’re not going to buy into the fear,” yelled Roberto Hernandez, a community leader from the city’s Mission District. “Please send your children to school, do not fear! Go to church, do not fear!”
The purpose of Tuesday’s press conference was to demonstrate that many city leaders have no intention to aid federal efforts in the removal of illegal immigrants.
Lurie, Police Chief Bill Scott, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, City Attorney David Chiu and Public Defender Mano Raju were just a few of the many local officials who spoke during the event to establish their commitment in abiding by the sanctuary city policy.
“I want to make some things very clear,” Scott said. “First of all, the San Francisco Police Department does not assist in immigration raids … Targeting immigrants who have built families, businesses, and homes here does not improve public safety, it does the exact opposite. It makes people fearful to report crimes, obtain needed health care or use other city services. It makes children afraid to go to school.”
San Francisco’s sanctuary city policy was enacted in 1989 to prevent local agencies from assisting federal authorities like ICE to enforce immigration law.
However, federal immigration authorities still have the power to conduct their own deportations in the city.
In addition, state prisons and county jails are able to cooperate and share information with ICE if they are releasing an undocumented immigrant connected with violent crimes.
We’re not going to buy into the fear. Please send your children to school, do not fear! Go to church, do not fear!
Roberto Hernandez, Mission district community leader
“My office is unique in that we are the only office that may contact federal immigration officials if they ask when a serious or violent felon is leaving our custody and only if that person meets very specific criteria,” said San Francisco Sheriff Paul Miyamoto. “Unfortunately, there are people who commit crimes here, including those from the immigrant community. Sometimes people have to be held accountable for that.”
Supervisor Jackie Fielder introduced a resolution a few weeks ago to ensure that San Francisco reaffirms its sanctuary city policy. All 10 other members of the Board of Supervisors joined as cosponsors for the resolution and officially approved it in a unanimous vote at Tuesday’s board meeting.
“What that should communicate to Trump and to anyone that wants to see us roll back is that we are not going back,” Fielder said. “No matter your status, you deserve to feel safe and that is exactly what sanctuary is about.”
The significant turnout at Tuesday’s rally, including many local leaders, provided a sense of relief for some members of the immigrant community.
“I don’t feel scared anymore,” Hernandez said. “Our sheriff is here, the public defender is here, the district attorney is here. The firefighters are here, all the unions are here. We are in this together, so I feel safe.”
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