California Demonstrators Call for a ‘Sanctuary Ordinance in Every City’

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) center in Los Angeles, calling for a “sanctuary ordinance in every city.”

Flor Martinez Zaragoza, a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, said there is “a lot of fear in the community.”

“[My goal is] to stand in solidarity but also as somebody undocumented, somebody with DACA, my own rights are at risk,” Martinez Zaragoza told FOX 11 Los Angeles. “I’m not afraid, but I know a lot of people that are. I’m just here to show them they’re not alone. There’s people fighting back.”

Earlier this month, San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors voted to designate the county as a “super sanctuary” jurisdiction. The resolution, which aligns with California’s 2017 “California Values Act,” restricts state and local law enforcement from coordinating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unless a judicial warrant is presented. 

San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond provided the lone dissenting vote in the board’s 3-1 decision to become a “super sanctuary” jurisdiction. He called the designation “an affront to every citizen who values safety and justice.”

The county sheriff, Kelly A. Martinez, announced that her office will not comply with the new sanctuary policy.

“Current state law strikes the right balance between limiting local law enforcement’s cooperation with immigration authorities, ensuring public safety, and building community trust,” Martinez said.

Two California mayors have criticized the state’s sanctuary policies.

“There’s a lot of talk about sanctuary cities and the sanctuary state of California. I want to make it clear right now that El Cajon is not a sanctuary city. We’re going to do everything we can to work with the federal government to help ease this immigration problem, help solve this problem,” El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells said.

Mayor Will O’Neill of Newport Beach has also condemned sanctuary city policies.

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