The Paso Robles City Council on Tuesday night voted against formally opposing state Senate Bill 54, also known as the California Values Act and "sanctuary state law."
SB 54 would challenge current federal law requiring local law enforcement officers to notify federal agencies such as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) bureau should they have anyone in their custody who is believed to be an undocumented immigrant.
Public comment on the issue lasted more than four hours and was a continuation topic from the April 18th city council meeting.
The discussion consisted of the council’s decision whether or not to remain a sanctuary city, take no action, or provide an alternative direction.
The council heard from supporters on both sides of the debate. In the end, council members voted 5-0 against taking a stance on the law.
"Council decided to receive and file the staff report and direct the new police chief to confer with his peers in law enforcement to identify any problems with SB 54," explained Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin. "Those will be submitted to the Governor, our Assembly and Senate representatives, and the League of California Cities."
