'They cannot in any way collaborate': Leaders emphasize Kern County enforcement is not involved in Border Patrol operations
Jan 09, 2025
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- "An experience unlike any that I've had," said Bakersfield Ward 2 City Councilmember Andrae Gonzales.
That's the consensus on ongoing Border Patrol operations.
Community leaders are emphasizing that local law enforcement -- the Kern County Sheriff's Office and Bakersfield Police Department -- aren't doing anything.
In fact, they -- by law -- cannot do anything when it comes to federal immigration enforcement.
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"People who are very concerned about what might happen to themselves, what might happen to their family or loved ones or neighbors," Gonzales said.
There's also been confusion on social media about local law enforcement involvement in these operations.
Sheriff Donny Youngblood told 17 News KCSO is not involved but declined follow up requests for comment.
As for Bakersfield Police?
"The police department is certainly aware of the operations being conducted," BPD Chief Greg Terry said during Wednesday's City Council meeting. "We are not involved in any way directly or in a supportive role. In fact, state law prohibits any local resources to be used for immigration enforcement."
That law is Senate Bill 54, the California Values Act, which took effect in 2017.
"They cannot in any way collaborate with or cooperate with the enforcement of federal immigration statues," explained H.A. Sala, co-founder of the Immigration Justice Collaborative and a criminal defense attorney.
Salas said for the ongoing CBP operations, that means, "The Sheriff's Department, Bakersfield Police Department, CHP cannot assist them in those operations."
But there are some exceptions.
"If [the targets are] engaged in an investigation for narcotics or international narcotics smuggling or some other task force-related situation, then [local law enforcement] can become involved in that," Sala detailed.
Kern County lawmakers express concerns over Border Patrol operations
In response to questions about rumors alleging some BPD officers are tipping off agents, a BPD spokesperson said the department is not engaged in giving away such information.
Now, community leaders want to emphasize residents -- regardless of immigration status -- can reach out to law enforcement for help.
Gonzales said, "We know that many of our community members are also victims of domestic violence, of violent crimes, of property crime."
Gonzales addressed BPD at the Wednesday City Council meeting, asking Chief Terry, "They will not be asked from a police officer their immigration status or citizenship status in this country?"
To that, the chief answered, "No… We are focused on local issues and fulfilling our responsibility to the community… Call us, irrespective of your immigration status, and we will provide service."
Sala also said Terry's affirmation of SB 54 is "historic" and encourages our neighboring cities and their police chiefs to do the same.
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The attorney said he has no reason to believe the Chief's comments are not genuine. He said he's confident the City's top law enforcement officer will comply with the law, as he himself has publicly declared.
"We hope that the Sheriff's Department will follow suit, as will and should the Board of Supervisors."
And as a message to local law enforcement, Councilmember Gonzales said, "They must have a clear and distinct boundary [with federal immigration officials]."
There are still many questions still left unanswered by Border Patrol, we're waiting to hear back.