Days after President-elect Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to a large-scale deportation plan, local advocates in Sonoma County are intensifying calls for stronger protections for immigrant communities.
On Tuesday, the North Bay Organizing Project’s Immigrant Defense Task Force hosted a rally outside the county government’s administrative building in Santa Rosa. The rally, aimed at pressuring local leaders to act, included testimonies from community members, the collection of signatures for an open letter to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, and the distribution of wallet-sized cards with guidance on how to respond when encountering immigration officers.
The rally also featured a symbolic act: some attendees painted butterflies and the phrase “Comunidad para un condado santuario” (“Community for a sanctuary county”) on the walkway leading to the building. Gina Garibo, an organizer, described the event as a celebration of the community’s collective efforts to protect itself, regardless of the actions of the board of supervisors.
One key demand from advocates is for Sonoma County to adopt a sanctuary policy that would shield immigrants from potential federal immigration crackdowns under the incoming Trump administration. They are also calling for the county to assess the share of its foreign-born population at risk of deportation and to prioritize further protective measures in its 2025 agenda.
At around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, a group of about 20 activists entered the board chambers, holding neon signs that read “sanctuary now.” They stood in silence for several minutes before chanting, briefly disrupting the meeting. The group then filed out of the room.
Advocates have been urging the board to take stronger action for years, but with Trump’s promises of mass deportations, local fears have escalated. In a recent interview on NBC’s *Meet the Press*, Trump reiterated his plan to end birthright citizenship and deport entire families, including U.S.-born children, as part of his immigration crackdown.
X’andri, a community member, voiced concern during public comment, urging the board to take action to protect all local immigrants, including workers, teachers, and DACA recipients. They also highlighted the significant role that immigrant labor plays in the county’s wine industry.
The Immigrant Defense Task Force submitted a draft sanctuary county resolution to the board two years ago, but frustration has grown as the proposal has not progressed. X’andri emphasized that the resolution had “gathered dust” since its submission.
Board Chair David Rabbitt defended the county’s efforts, stating that it had already taken meaningful steps, such as the creation of the Secure Families Collaborative, which provides free legal services, social support, and mental health assistance. However, he argued that sanctuary resolutions are often symbolic and may not offer substantial protections.
Local advocates, however, view a sanctuary resolution as a critical tool to limit cooperation between the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Sheriff Eddie Engram has stated that his office complies with state law regarding ICE requests, which are restricted by California’s 2014 TRUST Act to those accused of serious crimes like robbery, sex offenses, and felony DUI.
In 2023, ICE made 492 requests for release information related to bookings at the Sonoma County Jail, with the sheriff’s department responding to 72 of those requests. Engram noted that the majority of these responses involved individuals accused of violent crimes.
Rabbitt expressed confidence in Engram’s transparency and the sheriff’s department’s policies, which he called “appropriate.” Nonetheless, he acknowledged that the board may revisit these issues in the coming months, potentially as soon as January, to address concerns raised by local advocates.
Related topics:
- Trump Proposes Deporting Families with Mixed Immigration Status
- Billionaire’s Shocking Warning About the Surge in Chinese Immigration to Australia
- Iran Calls on Spain to Extend Visa Validity and Ease Requirements for Traders
