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Santa Clarita Residents Pack Council Chambers To Discuss ‘Sanctuary State’ Law

In a packed city council chamber, Santa Clarita residents gathered to voice their opinions on SB 54, the California “Sanctuary State” law.


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The Santa Clarita City Council is expected to formally discuss joining other cities to file a brief in support of a national lawsuit against the state of California about Senate Bill 54, or the California Values Act. The vote on whether to write that resolution is expected during the council’s May 9 meeting.

SB 54, which went into effect on Jan. 1, prohibits law enforcement from: asking about immigration status; giving federal immigration authorities access to interview a person in custody; or assisting them in immigration enforcement, according to the text of the law.

A total of 19 residents spoke about the “Sanctuary State” law during the open forum Tuesday, with mixed reactions to the proposed action. Nine residents spoke out against the action, and 10 in favor.

“Your move to put this on the agenda will hurt the working class,” said Victor Lizano, one of the speakers against the motion. “There already is increased racial (tensions) in this country, this will make it worse.”

Many of the residents speaking in favor of “opting out” of the state law said they were not against immigration – just illegal immigration.

“I am from a family of immigrants,” said one of the speakers, Nathalie Marge. “I believe in the American dream and I believe in immigration, but I believe this law makes it unfair for legal immigrants.”

One speaker also noted he did not want Santa Clarita to go from “Awesometown to Deportation Town.”

The bill contains some exceptions, allowing local agencies to transfer individuals to federal immigration authorities if there is a judicial warrant or if the person has been previously convicted of a violent felony.

The immigration issue looms large in California, where nearly a quarter of the U.S. population of undocumented immigrants reside. Estimates range from 2.35 to 2.6 million, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has said the Trump administration will use federal funds to crack down on “sanctuary cities” and states that choose not to comply with federal immigration laws.

Senator Henry Stern, D-Canoga Park, voted in favor of SB 54, while Senator Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita and Assemblyman Dante Acosta, R-Santa Clarita, voted against it.

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Santa Clarita Residents Pack Council Chambers To Discuss ‘Sanctuary State’ Law

11 comments

  1. The city has no police department and no jail. This is nothing more than racism theater. Funny how all the cities with charming Spanish names are showing the most hostility to Hispanics.

    • Your first sentence describes your ignorance. The city has a police department it’s called a sheriff’s department. The Santa Clarita sheriff station does have a jail. In fact, it has several cells inside. Your comment is what drives “fake news” due to your lack of knowledge or understanding of this city. Maybe you should consider moving to one of those charming Spanish cities and spew your nonsense. Just a thought.

    • How is this racism? Please explain that to me? American citizens expect immigrants to go through the legal process, and suddenly we are racists?

    • Santa Clarita has Los Angeles Sheriff station as well as Pitchess Detention Center(jail) 10 minutes north in Castaic. Where are you getting your information from?

    • I’m not surprised at all that there are people in Santa Clarita want to opt out of the sanctuary city laws. This is a sad situation and the hate being displayed will make things worse in the future

  2. Is it racist when customs asks for your passport then proceeds to ask for your reason your going to the specified country?

  3. This is part of the legislative and local leadership process and I don’t consider it to be hateful. What I do find to be a double standard being exercised by our state leadership is the condemnation of cities seeking to opt out of state law. Isn’t this exactly what the state has done regarding federal law?

  4. I feel that SB-54 allows the undersireable riff raft in that this city as well as California doesn’t need. This town already has several gangs in it (et. Newhall 13) with SB-54 we’ll start bringing in the MS-13. Then what? The competition begins and GANG violence erupts. I’m not against immigration so long as it’s done legally through the proper procedures. But just coming over a border and taking up residence is NOT the way.

  5. California has become a liberal cesspool. SCV needs to not wade in the dirty water.

  6. A restaurant chef was telling me, the restaurant has a dish washer from Mexico who has 5 DUI’s. He gets arrested, deported, and then he sneaks back in and the restaurant takes him back.

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About Devon Miller

Devon Miller was born and raised in Santa Clarita. He joined KHTS Radio as a digital marketing intern in September of 2017, and later moved to news as a staff writer in December. Miller attended College of the Canyons and served as the Associated Student Government President. Miller is now News Director for KHTS, covering breaking news and politics across the Santa Clarita Valley.