Northern California community declares itself a ‘non-sanctuary city for all criminals’
The Oroville City Council on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution that declared the community a “non-sanctuary city for all criminals” in response to a California law that limits when local law enforcement agencies can work with federal immigration authorities.
But, before doing so, council members removed language from the resolution that could have directed the city’s administrator and chief of police to violate the law.
Sheriffs and police chiefs are only supposed to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in certain circumstances. That restriction was created by Senate Bill 54, also known as the California Values Act, that the Legislature passed in 2017.
Councilmember Scott Thomson argued the law threatens public safety in the community, about 60 miles north of Sacramento, because it puts unnecessary restrictions on the city’s police. He drafted the resolution and requested that it be placed on the agenda.
It said that the city opposes policies that “harbor or protect individuals from prosecution by state or federal law enforcement agencies,” among other things.
“It is very clear that Sacramento is not listening to the North State and I for one would like them to hear our voice,” Thomson told his colleagues during Tuesday’s meeting.
Oroville has about 20,000 residents and roughly 8% were born outside of the country, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Councilmember Shawn Webber agreed with Thomson’s frustrations. But he directed a pointed question to the city’s interim police chief: If we adopt the resolution, as written, and we direct you to ignore the law, would you do that?
“No, I will not violate state law,” said Jason Wines, the interim chief.
Webber said he was not going to put the chief in that position.
“Just because we may want to, we can’t make a declaration that is going to usurp state law,” the councilmember added.
Currently, law enforcement officials can contact ICE about undocumented immigrants who have been convicted of crimes that include murder, rape and assault. But other leaders across the state say that it is not enough.
Following Huntington Beach
The Huntington Beach City Council, in January, also declared itself a non-sanctuary city and sued the state over the law. Amador County Sheriff Gary Redman said recently he will consider contacting ICE if certain undocumented immigrants are set to be released from jail.
And Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, a San Diego Republican, recently introduced a bill that would require law enforcement officials to cooperate with immigration authorities as long as it doesn’t violate local, state or federal law. Right now, they have the freedom to choose whether or not they want to work with them.
President Donald Trump’s administration, during his first term, also challenged the law in court.
So far, it has survived.
After other council members Tuesday also raised concerns about the proposed statement, Thomson agreed to remove a line from it that said: “The City Administrator and Chief of Police are directed to implement this resolution and ensure that all city policies and procedures are consistent with this declaration.”
When the council approved the change, it also took more action: It voted to write a letter in favor of the bill that Jones recently introduced and said it would also consider supporting Huntington Beach in its lawsuit.
This story was originally published March 5, 2025 at 8:43 AM with the headline "Northern California community declares itself a ‘non-sanctuary city for all criminals’."
