"Berkeley leaders are moving to strengthen rules that bar the city and its employees from assisting in federal immigration enforcement, defying pressure the Trump administration has ratcheted up on local jurisdictions that have sanctuary policies. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to adopt an ordinance that enshrines Berkeley's long-standing sanctuary rules into the municipal code. It's a mostly symbolic step that builds on a resolution the council passed in January, a day after Trump returned to office, that reaffirmed Berkeley's status as a sanctuary"
"But Berkeley officials said local organizations that work with immigrants who are living in fear as the administration moves to ramp up deportations requested the change to reinforce the city's commitment to protecting them. This ordinance is a reflection of Berkeley values, Mayor Adena Ishii said at Tuesday's meeting, and it codifies the protections we have honored and followed by resolutions for decades."
Berkeley City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance enshrining longstanding sanctuary rules into the municipal code, building on a January resolution reaffirming sanctuary status. Local immigrant-support organizations requested the codification to strengthen protections for residents fearful of increased deportations. The ordinance prohibits city and employee assistance in federal immigration enforcement. Berkeley was included on a U.S. Department of Justice list of 35 sanctuary jurisdictions facing threats of lawsuits, funding withdrawal, and criminal charges for obstructing immigration enforcement. Attorney General Pam Bondi sent letters demanding compliance and elimination of policies deemed to impede federal actions. City leaders framed the ordinance as reflecting Berkeley values and formalizing existing practices.
Read at www.berkeleyside.org
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