Windsor, voting itself a 'united community,' declares solidarity with immigrants

Windsor on Wednesday became the latest community to proclaim solidarity with immigrants, regardless of their legal status, and assure them local police will not be part of a deportation force that comes after them simply for being undocumented.

The Town Council declared Windsor a “united community that values its diversity and the contributions of all residents” and supports the safeguarding of the civil rights, safety and dignity of all residents.

Similar resolutions have been passed by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and city councils of Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, Sebastopol and Petaluma. A resolution is also being prepared in Sonoma, and a bill has been put forward in the state Senate to declare California a “sanctuary state.”

The actions are in response to President Trump’s moves to crack down on immigrants living illegally in the United States and increase the number targeted for removal, regardless of whether they have committed serious crimes.

In an interesting twist, the Windsor Council said “there has been a sense of uncertainty and concern” over immigration enforcement, but at the last minute removed an introductory clause that said “since the 2016 Presidential election.”

That prompted Councilman Sam Salmon to cast the lone dissenting vote, saying, “We wouldn’t be here, but for the politics coming out of Washington.”

Councilman Dominic Foppoli said the reference to the presidential election could cause Windsor to lose federal funds for infrastructure projects.

“It’s not right to jeopardize the town for one political statement,” he said.

Even though the resolution is largely symbolic and doesn’t change longstanding practice of the police department to ignore people’s immigration status, council members said it was important to make the community feel comfortable.

Windsor’s population is approximately 32 percent Latino, higher than the 26 percent overall Sonoma County average.

Unlike other Sonoma County cities where large crowds have shown up to urge passage of resolutions supporting immigrants, there was a relatively small audience in Windsor on Wednesday night.

Eight people spoke, all in favor of the “united community” resolution.

Alex Gonzalez, 22, of Windsor said it is important to quell fears people have that they will be removed because of their immigration status, “taken away from family members at any time.”

Richard Mendelhson, who came from South Africa and became an American citizen, said many undocumented immigrants are afraid of even going to a Town Council meeting because they think they might come to the attention of federal authorities.

Some speakers questioned how Windsor can reassure the community that immigration authorities won’t come in and conduct sweeps.

Windsor Police Chief Carlos Basurto acknowledged “there’s nothing we can do to prevent it.”

But Windsor police, like other law enforcement agencies in Sonoma County, have no plans to collaborate with the federal immigration sweeps.

Basurto said his officers do not arrest, question or detain any person solely to ascertain immigration status. Nor do they engage in federal immigration enforcement.

The Police Department will, however, work cooperatively with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to catch serious or violent criminals, on the condition that ICE refrain from arresting or taking into custody anyone based solely on immigration status.

Police say they don’t want anyone, regardless of their status, to be afraid to call them for assistance or information or to report any crime or other issue.

Prompted by some Windsor residents, the Town Council proposed in early February the idea of making a statement in the spirit of a sanctuary city ideal.

But Town Manager Linda Kelly recommended the resolution refrain from declaring Windsor a “sanctuary city,” a controversial term that has drawn the ire of proponents of tougher immigration laws.

President Trump has threatened to withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities.

On average, Kelly said the town receives approximately $400,000 each year in federal funds.

You can reach Staff Writer Clark Mason at 707-521-5214 or clark.mason@pressdemocrat.com