(Left to right) Ambar Tovar, attorney with UFW, Councilmember Sal Solorio-Ruiz, Chief Jerry Nicholson, Councilmember Bryan Osorio and Oliver Ma, civil rights attorney.
The City of Delano held a community forum that focused on understanding the rights and roles of local authorities with the community. The forum keynote speakers included Chief of Police Jerry Nicholson, Councilmember Sal Solorio-Ruiz, Councilmember Bryan Osorio, and local attorneys Ambar Tovar and Oliver Ma. Representatives from the school board, Dr. Jasmeet Bains district office and Attorney General Rob Bontas External Affairs manager were also among those in attendance. The meeting took place on September 17 the day the U.S Constitution was written and signed by delegates
Community members were also provided with resources from local grassrooted organizations Building Healthy Communities and the United Farm Workers Foundation.
Councilmember Solorio-Ruiz, addressed the audience noting that the issues of mass deportation and ICE raids are personal to many in the community but hoped that through this event it would empower Delano residents to learn what rights they have and what the role of the city serves and the role of the police department.
Solorio-Ruiz mentioned that he personally does not believe that the current administration is not only apprehending criminals but targeting individuals based on their appearance. “I believe that they’re going after our neighbors, our abuelas, and Tias. [That is why] it’s important to educate people on their basic rights”
“This isn’t just a city event. We hope that this can be a community event where other people are also learning [different] perspectives coming up here [to speak],” Councilmember Osorio commented.
Back in January, Immigration and Customs Enforcement began a targeted operation known as “Operation Return to Sender” in Kern County. An operation that rattled the entire community as many were targeted and arrested on the basis of skin color and occupation. The result of this unlawful operation was a lawsuit UFW v NOEM that has barred any ICE or Border Patrol officer from conducting future raids in the Eastern District without a warrant or probable cause.
“I want to remind folks in the United States of America, you have rights, and so it’s important to be here today to educate you on those rights,” reiterated Solorio-Ruiz
Recent immigration raids have shown a drastic trend of rights being violated at the hands of federal officers conducting aggressive arrests.
Chief Nicholson began the forum with a presentation for the community on what the role of local authorities are during Immigration Enforcement and everyday tasks.
“Our primary duty is to protect life and property to uphold the law and maintain public order. We respond to emergency calls and criminal investigations, we enforce traffic and municipal laws,” said Nicholson
Under SB 54, the California Values Act which has been in effect since 2017 prevents state and local resources from being used to help during federal immigration enforcement tactics. Essentially, local law enforcement are strictly forbidden from investigating or arresting individuals for immigration purposes.
“Our department does not inquire about immigration status during routine contacts or investigations with our citizens. We do not hold individuals in immigration centers or transfer them to ICE, unless it is required by a judicial warrant. Our mission is public safety, not immigration enforcement,” said Nicholson.
Chief Nicholson reminded audience members that the Delano Police Department is committed to building trust with immigrant communities to ensure they are safe and protected when making reports on crimes or assessing services offered through DPD.
“Everyone in our community, regardless of race, background, or status, deserves to feel safe, respected, and protected,” exclaimed Nicholson, he also noted that all officers receive training on civil and criminal immigration violations.
The Chief of Police also addressed rumours that circulated throughout social media regarding an arrest made by Immigration officials on Aug 27th on the Tulare County side of County Line Rd. The rumours claimed that DPD undercover officers assisted in the apprehension of the individual, Nicholson reinforced that under no circumstance was the police department notified of the activity before or after and that DPD has not assisted ICE or any other agency since SB 54 was passed.
Both Ma and Tovar discussed the significant impact that immigration raids are leaving throughout various communities across California and noted local resources such as the Rapid Response of Kern. Tovar touched on exercising one’s right to remain silent and to speak with an attorney.
