Riverside County supervisors approve new policy to protect undocumented immigrants

County supervisors approved a policy at today's Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting that would evaluate how the data of undocumented immigrants is protected. The policy will also create a website with information and resources for immigrants.

Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, of District 4, and Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez, of District 5, proposed the item. The item passed 4-0, with one supervisor listed as 'away' after leaving the meeting early.

Supervisor Perez is keen on the implications that a policy like this holds, and stresses, "If there is a time for us to take a stand out loud and put it on paper and document it for reference, for history, for the future, it is now.”

According to county documents, the item will direct county officials to evaluate "how data for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) participants and and law-abiding undocumented immigrants is collected, managed, stored, and protected by the County of Riverside." Officials would also evaluate potential funding "to support law-abiding undocumented immigrants who face deportation proceedings."

This evaluation will be presented to the Board by February 25th.

The policy will also create webpage that provides immigration information and resources and reaffirm Riverside County's place as a "a vibrant, compassionate, and inclusionary county for all law-abiding immigrants and refugees." This website has not yet been released to the public.

Over 70 public speakers spoke on the item, both in-person and online, to voice their opinions.

One of those public speakers was Luz Gallegos, the Executive Director of TODEC, a legal center for immigrants in Coachella.

"With the majority vote of the board, we as a county are moving forward to find solutions to address the inequities and the fear of our vulnerable residents,” she explains.

Other public speakers, though, were opposed to the policy. One speaker directly addressed the board, saying, "It is your duty as elected officials to support the presidential administration and the people's mandate. Securing the border and deportation of all peoples illegally residing in this country is the number one priority of this national mandate.”

Local law enforcement agencies, like the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, also reaffirmed that they would cooperate with deportations at the meeting.

The full agenda is available on the Riverside County Meetings Portal, and to jump to this agenda item, you can view it here.