Paso Robles won't fight California's 'sanctuary state' law

BY LINDSEY HOLDEN
May 02, 2018 03:26 PM

Updated 4 hours 50 minutes ago

Paso Robles will not take a stand against California's "sanctuary state" law, the City Council decided unanimously after hearing many impassioned residents' views on immigration.

City Council members discussed Senate Bill 54 — also known as the California Values Act — at a Tuesday night meeting that drew hundreds of residents.

SB 54, which was approved last year, builds on state policies that prohibit local police departments and sheriff's offices from enforcing federal immigration statues.

Attendees filled all the seats in the council chambers, with some standing at the back and on the sides of the room. A group even flowed out of the room and into the lobby, where an additional speaker was set up to accommodate the crowd.

This meeting continued a discussion that began on April 17, when dozens of residents urged the council to join a group of Southern California cities and counties fighting SB 54.

Many speakers at that meeting said Paso Robles is "under attack" and facing an "illegal alien invasion."

The crowd gathered on Tuesday night contained more of a balance of opinions, with many attendees speaking in favor of SB 54, as well as against it. More than 70 attendees spoke for about three and a half hours.

Supporters turn out in force

Unlike the meeting two weeks ago, many speakers Tuesday came out to show their support for the "sanctuary state" law. Some said they were surprised at the tone of the previous meeting, while others discussed discrimination and fear they've faced in Paso Robles.

"I can say I never thought in Paso Robles you'd hear people say, 'Gosh, I wish we could be like Orange County,'" said Matt McClish.

McClish said opposing SB 54 would make some residents less likely to contact police, which would hurt public safety in Paso Robles.

A group of students from Paso Robles High School brought a banner that read "I support Bearcats with a dream."

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/lo...210294849.html

SEND IN ICE