ICE agent's desk booted from Monterey County Jail
ICE agent's desk booted from Monterey County Jail
Updated: 1:40 PM PST Dec 18, 2017
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SALINAS, Calif. — Monterey County Sheriff Steve Bernal announced Monday that he will no longer allow a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent to have a desk in the Monterey County Jail.
A new California law going into effect January 1, 2018, SB54, declares California as a "sanctuary state." Bernal said his decision to remove the ICE agent's desk was a result of complying with SB54, as well as consulting with several stakeholders who advocate for immigrants' rights on the Central Coast.
An ICE agent was given a desk at the Monterey County Jail two years ago, shortly after Bernal was sworn in as sheriff. Hundreds of undocumented inmates convicted of certain crimes have been released to federal authorities.
But with SB54 going into effect, local law enforcement agencies will no longer be able to work with federal authorities for immigration enforcement.
"My number one message I want to get out there is, ICE will no longer have access to the Monterey County Jail, and we do not work with them in the field," Bernal said.
ICE agents can still access the jail and question inmates if they have a warrant signed by a judge.
"There have been several challenges with SB54 when it comes to striking a balance between building our relationship with our undocumented community, and being allowed to work with our federal partners to maintain public safety. My hope is that when this new law goes into effect, we will be able to work together to build a stronger community that empowers those who are undocumented to come forward if they have been a victim of a crime, or a witness to a crime," Bernal said at a Monday morning news conference.
An estimated 2.3 million immigrants are living in California without legal status.
ICE Acting Director Tom Homan released the following statement to KSBW on SB54:
"Governor Jerry Brown’s decision to sign SB54 and make California a sanctuary state for illegal aliens – including those who have committed crimes – will undermine public safety and hinder ICE from performing its federally mandated mission. The governor is simply wrong when he claims otherwise," Homan said.
"SB54 will negatively impact ICE operations in California by nearly eliminating all cooperation and communication with our law enforcement partners in the state, voiding the delegated authority that the Orange County Sheriff’s Office has under the 287g program, and prohibiting local law enforcement from contracting with the federal government to house detainees," Homan said.
"ICE will have no choice but to conduct at-large arrests in local neighborhoods and at worksites, which will inevitably result in additional collateral arrests, instead of focusing on arrests at jails and prisons where transfers are safer for ICE officers and the community. ICE will also likely have to detain individuals arrested in California in detention facilities outside of the state, far from any family they may have in California," Homan said.
"Ultimately, SB54 helps shield removable aliens from immigration enforcement and creates another magnet for more illegal immigration, all at the expense of the safety and security of the very people it purports to protect. Despite the severe challenges that this law creates for ICE, we remain committed to our public safety mission and we will continue to do our sworn duty to seek out dangerous criminal aliens and other immigration violators. ICE seeks straightforward cooperation with all sheriffs and local elected officials. This misguided legislation will severely undermine those efforts," Homan said.
VIDEO: Sheriff Bernal announces ICE changes in jail
http://www.ksbw.com/article/ice-agen...-jail/14456965
