SLO Council approves sanctuary city-style resolution

April 6, 2017

Led by Mayor Heidi Harmon, the city of San Luis Obispo has responded to a purported crackdown on illegal immigration by the Trump Administration with a resolution declaring all people, irrespective of immigration status, welcome in SLO and instructing city staff to not directly enforce federal immigration laws.

However, city officials say the resolution does not run afoul of an executive order issued by President Donald Trump that denies federal funding to sanctuary cities. San Luis Obispo receives federal funds for community development, transportation and public safety efforts.

On Tuesday, the San Luis Obispo City Council unanimously adopted a resolution instructing city employees, including police, to not directly enforce federal civil immigration laws and to not use city funds, resources or personnel to investigate, question, detect or apprehend anyone solely for immigration violations, unless required by state or federal law. The resolution also directs city employees, as well as residents, to report acts of bullying, discrimination and violent hate against suspected immigrants.

Following the council meeting, the city issued a press release stating the resolution does not put San Luis Obispo in the category of sanctuary cities, as defined by Trump’s executive order.

Jurisdictions that merely restrict the use of resources to inquire into, investigate or collect immigration status information are not classified as sanctuary cities under Trump’s executive order, city staff said in the press release. Thus, the city’s resolution does not direct any action that conflicts in any way with the federal law on which the executive order is based, the news release says.

Sanctuary cities are commonly viewed as jurisdictions that refuse to honor detainer requests issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Several California counties are considered to have sanctuary city policies, including Alameda, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento and San Francisco counties.

In the city’s press release, San Luis Obispo Police Chief Deanna Cantrell gave a statement clarifying SLOPD policy on immigration enforcement.

“As police, our main goal is to ensure public safety,” Cantrell said. “With that in mind, we don’t ask people their status — whether they are considered potential victims, witnesses or suspects. Of course, undocumented immigrants who commit serious and/or violent crimes should be subject to federal immigration laws, but our local police do not have the jurisdiction or legal authority to enforce immigration law.”

Cantrell also said it is city policy to treat everyone equally and to maintain a safe community, building trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement.


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“Come to us on the collective farm, comrade!” –


the city that never thinks.


I expected no less from Heidi and the gang. Not looking out for the citizens, but rather working their own political agenda. We get what we deserve. Personally I hope the feds do cut off federal funding to our over-bloated city government. Full speed ahead, damn the torpeedos


What was really disheartening is that Heidi barely squeaked in a victory, and only because Marx was such a similarly-poor mayor, except she had a track record of terrible “Mayoralship.” Heidi is just starting to create her own terrible record; the saddest part being, few people saw the type of person and could not connect the dots that crap like this was (and is) bound to happen.


Well isn’t that just sweet.


What does it take to get recalled in San Luis Obispo? Between this and the $2000 bonus for management it might be time to consider it.


Hmmm…why have laws that government leaders and workers have agreed NOT to enforce?

Aren’t you in fact directing said leaders to BREAK the law by doing so?

“Cantrell also said it is city policy to treat everyone equally and to maintain a safe community, building trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement.”

How do you build trust with ILLEGAL immigrant community chief?


Interesting read but totally unrelated to what this article is about. The scammers in LA were rich Chinese abusing a special federal program intended to encourage foreign investment by allowing investors a quicker access to legal US residency.


“However, city officials say the resolution does not run afoul of an executive order issued by President Donald Trump” maybe in their minds, but I doubt President Trump will see it that way. SLO prepare to see your federal funding go away, but I’m sure you don’t care, you seem to have plenty of money, even giving it out to already overpaid personal like candy on Halloween.


A rose is a rose regardless of the smell! Call it what you want, you are still supporting a Sanctuary City mentality! Indoctrinating your employees, holding community training on how to protect, enable and accept illegals defines Sanctuary City. So glad I have moved out of this swamp city. A Liberal Democratic Council lead by a Socialist Mayor, highest taxes in the County, deficit in their budget by $5-6 million and Diablo has not even come to life for them yet, crime on the rise, and they are opening their doors protect illegals. Works for me, keep them in your community!


Hope they never need FEMA funds again!


They took ar jooobs!


If eating poop was popular our council would be first in line with a spoon.


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