After this Monday afternoon the Redwood City Council Discussing the possibility of voting on a possible ordinance restricting the use of city resources to assist or cooperate with immigration authorities, City Mayor Jeff Gee said the commitment to helping all residents is stronger than ever.
"Our commitment to supporting all who call Redwood City home is stronger than ever, and we will continue to do what we do best: build a Redwood City that welcomes all through collaboration, responsiveness and excellence," he said in a statement issued Tuesday afternoon.
While there is no set date for a vote on such a potential ordinance, Mayor Gee noted that one of Redwood City's greatest strengths is its diversity, and she is committed to keeping it multicultural for current and future generations.
"The City of Redwood City is committed to enriching its cultural fabric by supporting and celebrating its multi-ethnic diversity, including newcomers, immigrants, and all individuals who have contributed to creating the Redwood City we enjoy today, including those who immigrated to Redwood City years ago and have called Redwood City home for generations."
In this regard, the mayor, who was recently re-elected to represent District 1, recalled that the city police do not actively participate with immigration authorities, nor with the federal laws that emanate from them.
“The Redwood City Police Department does not actively participate in the enforcement of federal immigration laws, which fall under the jurisdiction of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This means that our police officers do not conduct raids to locate suspected undocumented immigrants, and that we offer our services to all people equally, regardless of their immigration status.”
In that regard, he noted that the Redwood City Police Department only arrests or detains individuals when there is probable cause of a crime, or in accordance with the California Values Act in relation to people convicted of extraordinary crimes of violence such as homicide, mayhem, rape, kidnapping and other similar violent crimes.
"We believe that everyone is safer if anyone who contacts us to report a crime can speak freely rather than feeling vulnerable to deportation. Our law enforcement personnel and our staff across all of our departments work to support the ideals of welcome and inclusion toward immigrants and all members of our community," he said.
He added that he knows that fear and concern about possible mass deportations and family separation is understandable, and is also a cause for concern in the City Council.
"We know that many members of the community share these values. They, like us, are concerned about the potential separation of families and disruption to the community due to increased enforcement of federal immigration laws."
However, she explained that, in the face of these fears, education remains a valuable tool.
"For many years we have worked with local community organizations to share accurate information about legal rights and help dispel rumors. We will continue to collaborate with these and other community organizations to address concerns and provide information about resources residents can access," she concluded.
The Redwood City Council is expected to vote on the potential ordinance in the first quarter of next year, potentially allowing the city to become a “sanctuary” for immigrants.
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