We're Reminding Local Sheriffs: In California, You Can't Help ICE

California is home to more immigrants than any other state in the country. To limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities during the first Trump administration, the legislature passed the California Values Act (SB 54) which prohibits sheriffs and police departments from using resources to aid immigration enforcement, with some exceptions.

The law is intended to foster trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities. Residents who are not citizens are more likely to seek help from police when they don’t fear being turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In 2019, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld California’s sanctuary law in its entirety.

In light of Donald Trump’s pledge to carry out mass arrests and deportations, in December 2024 we sent letters to the sheriffs in our region reminding them of their duties under the Values Act and the restrictions the law imposes on notifying ICE of individuals’ release dates and responding to requests to transfer individuals into federal immigration custody. 

We also urged the sheriffs to adopt policies that go beyond the Values Act and further limit their office’s entanglement in immigration enforcement such as not responding to ICE transfer or notification requests.