Nevada City’s City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to pass a resolution which will, in theory, protect immigrants who are living in the city from being detained by United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcements (ICE) or any other federal immigration agency.
The resolution was recommended and drafted by Councilmembers Daniela Fernández and Lou Ceci and was a way of protecting local immigrants from being raided or detained due to their status.
“This is one of the easiest, quickest processes I’ve experienced in local government,” Fernández said before presenting the council with the facts behind the resolution.
She added that she had received an email from Nevada City Police Chief Dan Foss as well as Nevada City counsel Dean Pucci, who both inquired as to the city’s stance on immigration, reinforcement and how it might impact the city’s resources. Fernández and Ceci quickly worked on the resolution which they were able to share fairly quickly.
“I think the resolution was really well drafted and really well written, said Nevada City Police Chief Dan Foss. “I just want to emphasize very strongly that whatever you’re in our community for—whether you live here, you’re visiting or you’re shopping or you’re just passing through—your immigration status, your race or religion or creed, all those things do not matter. You will get the same level of service from us. We are here to serve everybody.”
Foss added that his agency will never ask for immigration status.
Lolo Stone presented to the council as a resident and certified immigrant advocate and Color Me Human board member in Nevada County who has spent years working with immigrants who are unprotected and unheard.
“Now we are facing one of the most dangerous and dehumanizing moments in my lifetime and in my recent memory,” said Stone. “We are faced with an administration that is wasting no time in bringing back one of the most inhumane and racist immigration policies we’ve ever seen—mass deportation, family separations, indefinite detention…language that is rooted in white supremacy and designed to normalize violence. This is not just rhetoric; It is a strategy that’s working and we are seeing consequences.”
Stone reported that about 10 percent of Nevada County’s population is foreign born, but expressed doubt in those numbers since, she said, many are hesitant to report for fear of being deported or detained. She added that many immigrant children under the age of 10 are being forced to represent themselves in immigration with no other representation.
“Immigrants aren’t just passing through,” said Stone. “(They are) farmers, caregivers, an essential part of the fabric of our community.”
Stone added: “This resolution is our way of saying we will not let you disappear. Not in our town, not on our watch. This is not just about immigration policy; it’s about racism. It’s about when hate, at the national level, reverberates through the community.”
Councilmember Fernández provided: “The City of Nevada City is upholding the constitution of which guarantees equal protection under the law and the due process rights of all residents regardless of immigration status.”
It was resolved that the City of Nevada City reaffirms all commitments to fostering a safe and inclusive community, while ensuring all residents have access to essential services, resources, and program without regard to immigration status.
“City employees, including law enforcement officers, shall not inquire as to the immigration status of peoples accessing services or engaging with city departments unless required by the law,” said Fernández. “The City of Nevada City shall not use city resources personnel or facilities to enforce federal immigration laws unless mandated by a judicial warrant or court order. Local law enforcement cannot enforce federal immigration laws.”
The Nevada City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at Nevada City City Hall, 317 Broad Street.
To contact Staff Writer Jennifer Nobles please email jnobles@theunion.com.
