Golden State Today

Residents of Santa Barbara County are invited to participate in a community forum on California's TRUTH Act and the access local governments can provide to federal immigration authorities. The event is scheduled for December 10, 2024, during the Board of Supervisors meeting at the Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building in Santa Maria. The board meeting will start at 9 a.m., with the TRUTH Act Forum expected to begin after 2 p.m. Participation is available both virtually and in person.

The TRUTH Act, formally known as the Transparent Review of Unjust Transfers and Holds Act, was signed by Governor Jerry Brown on September 28, 2016. It involves Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and pertains to individuals who have had contact with law enforcement. The act mandates that local government agencies hold a community forum when local police provide any access to ICE regarding an individual.

At this forum, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office plans to present data concerning individuals for whom they have provided ICE access. This includes demographic details, dates of access provision, and whether it was through holds, transfers, or notifications. Data may be presented as statistics or individual records with personal information redacted.

In 2023, ICE made inquiries about or requested access to 141 inmates; however, responses were only given for those who qualified under SB54 exceptions to the TRUST Act. Out of these cases, five individuals were re-arrested by ICE officers post-release from sheriff custody.

Notification of this forum was previously published on October 15, 2024, in a general circulation newspaper adjudicated by the Santa Barbara Superior Court. Additional notices were disseminated via social media platforms and posted on the Sheriff's Office website.

Interested parties are encouraged to express their views either in support or opposition during the forum. Written comments can be sent to: Board of Supervisors of Santa Barbara County Clerk of the Board at their address or emailed to sbcob@countyofsb.org.

Spanish translators will be available onsite providing real-time interpretation services through headsets for Spanish speakers attending either in person or via Zoom.

For further inquiries about participation methods or accommodations related to disabilities during this meeting contact the Clerk’s Office at (805) 568-2240.

Live broadcasts of board meetings are accessible through various channels including cable TV (with SAP), online streaming services like YouTube with descriptive captions available.

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