Thread: Dana Point supports county, growing group of cities opposing California’s sanctuary

Dana Point supports county, growing group of cities opposing California’s sanctuary law


Jennifer Harrison, of the group Patriot Movement AZ, was one of dozens of activists opposing California’s sanctuary state status during a Dana Point City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. Many of the groups were from other parts of the state, and other states. The Dana Point city council debated a resolution that would join the county’s opposition to SB 54. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

By ERIKA I. RITCHIE | eritchie@scng.com | Orange County Register
PUBLISHED: April 18, 2018 at 9:16 am | UPDATED: April 19, 2018 at 3:51 pm

DANA POINT — Holding Trump flags, wearing ‘Make America Great Again’ red caps and waving “no sanctuary state” signs, dozens of people who oppose California’s sanctuary law broke out in cheers as the Dana Point City Council narrowly approved a resolution joining the County of Orange and a growing number of cities on the anti-sanctuary bandwagon.

The California Values Act limits how local law enforcement works with federal immigration officials to detain undocumented immigrants. While state law allows police to turn over immigrants accused of violent crimes and many drug crimes, those who oppose the state’s sanctuary status want police to turn all undocumented immigrants over to federal officials when they are released from jail on local crimes.

The City Council on Tuesday, April 17, voted 3-2 to support the resolution. Council members Debra Lewis and Paul Wyatt were opposed, saying the issue is divisive to the community, could be costly and is mostly symbolic.

Dozens of people, many from out of area, testified in support of Dana Point joining at least nine other cities and the county in opposing the state’s sanctuary status. The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit challenging California’s law.

“I don’t live in Dana Point, I come from Phoenix,” said Lesa Antone. “The sanctuary powers of California make it really difficult for us. Which American citizen are you willing to sacrifice? We want our laws enforced.”

But Dana Point resident Landon Russell warned the City Council that voting to join the Trump lawsuit is going against their duty as council members.

“This will cost you tens of thousands of dollars,” he said.

“This is a political move based on fear and hate. The people of Dana Point want responsible government, not petty problems of the Trump administration.”

Unruly behavior and shouts from the capacity-filled chamber led Mayor Rick Viczorek to twice call for a council recess. Orange County Sheriff deputies escorted a man from the Council Chambers after he threatened several speakers supporting the state’s sanctuary law.

Outside the chamber, dozens more watched live feeds of the meeting in a windy and cold corridor on the first floor of City Hall.

“This is not an immigration issue for me,” Councilman Joe Mueller said. “When the United States passes a law it means something. I don’t believe the state has rights to trump federal law. Our taking a position is not meaningless. It shows we support local law enforcement. They need to be able to work with the federal government.”

Councilwoman Debra Lewis countered Mueller’s claims the state’s sanctuary law keeps local police from working with federal officials, citing numbers given to her from the Sheriff’s Department.

“In 2016, OCSD turned over 391 inmates to ICE,” she said. “From January to March 2018, 168 have been turned over so far. We’re on a pace to be over 600. This is after the passage of SB-54.”

Dana Point resident Wayne Yost expressed concern “the California State Legislature is directly affecting our quality of life, which impacts our community.”

“Vote and change policies in Sacramento,” he told council members.

Olivia Fu, a student from San Juan Hills High School, said she spoke on behalf of fellow students who are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

“How can a student expect to succeed in a climate that is openly hostile?” she said. “I wholeheartedly believe you will do what benefits us.”

https://www.ocregister.com/2018/04/18/dana-point-supports-county-and-a-growing-group-of-cities-in-opposing-californias-sanctuary-law/

Orange, Newport Beach join other CA. cities opposing California sanctuary law