Introduction to community article: “Berkeley Takes Action to Support Immigrant Communities,” by members of the Mayor’s immigration task force
We’re grateful to other members of the Task Force for summarizing its work in the accompanying community article. In this introduction we will go into a little more depth on a couple components of the work: non-cooperation with ICE, and the process of raising funds for the vital work of emergency legal representation.
Berkeley Speaks staff are pleased to participate in the mayor’s Immigration Task Force. The broad group was quickly formed after Trump’s inauguration to help prepare Berkeley for the difficult times that the national administration is expected to put the community through.
Sanctuary means: we don’t help ICE!
The newly updated Berkeley Sanctuary City policy prohibits any entity within the municipal government from assisting federal immigration law enforcement. The City is barred from requesting or disseminating information about the immigration status of an individual except as required by federal law.
On April 16, Council referred to the City Attorney a request to draft an ordinance to “codify” the Sanctuary policy, to give it the force of law. Some Task Force members would like to see it strengthened to improve accountability of police and other City employees. Advocates will urge the Attorney’s office and the Council to adopt a number of strengthening provisions.
One issue has already come up in the context of a Council vote on the installation of police surveillance cameras around town. City staff promised was made that the City would not share images with ICE without a court order. But given the technical powers of the federal government, and the lack of political constraints on it, any information the City puts on the “cloud” may as well be simply handed to ICE. This is true even if the data is encrypted, and even if the hosting company swears they will not give it up.
A retired librarian testified before the Council vote to what her colleagues did in a long-ago era, when federal agents pushed for access to records of who had taken out controversial books. They simply dumped book checkout records as soon as the book was returned. So, the City really has two choices: hold all the camera images on site until the retention period expires, rather than sending them out physically or virtually; or, never capture the images at all.
If you think we can take the risk that the feds will not abuse our camera images, remember who we are talking about. This is an administration that is willing to suspend the constitution, defy judicial rulings, overturn birthright citizenship, deport 11 million immigrants, and openly use its powers to persecute Trump’s enemies. If we’re paying attention it is clear that absolutely no trust can be put in their discretion.
Solidarity in Action in Berkeley
It is budget season in Berkeley, and city council member Brent Blackaby has authored a $200,000 referral to the budget process for deportation defense legal and education support. Blackaby’s proposal, co-sponsored by members Lunaparra and Tregub and Mayor Ishii, meets a longstanding request by community members and immigration service providers for increased funding for immigration legal services.
The proposal cites wait lists of 200 people already, causing delays of up to six months just to get a 20-minute consultation. If approved by the council, the money would enable Social Justice Collaborative, Oasis Legal Services, East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, Multicultural Institute, and East Bay Community Law Center to provide legal consultations and screenings, pro se clinics for asylum hearings, limited scope legal representation for Berkeley families, and educational events such as Know Your Rights, family preparedness, and BUSD trainings. The funding would be available from July 2025 through June 2026.
The community-based organizations have stated:
“ICE removals take place rapidly, without notice or logic, and are already affecting UC Berkeley students and others across the state and country. Funding is needed now to respond to these threats in a coordinated approach.
“If we don’t act now, we risk an incalculable loss: the forced departure of valued members of our city, family separation, and increased fear and instability in our community.”
Mayor Ishii and Councilmember Brent Blackaby have met this moment with strong and decisive leadership. Please see the accompanying community article for the details and how supporters can help get the funding passed. This funding is critical to make sure that Berkeley families receive the legal support that they need at this moment.
