Union City Responds To Questions About Immigration

UNION CITY, CA —The City of Union City reports that it has received numerous inquiries and concerns from constituents about federal immigration agents and their activities in the Bay Area.

Here is the City's response:

In May 2017, the City Council unanimously designated Union City as a Compassionate City. The Compassionate City resolution builds on existing policies to clearly articulate Union City's position related to federal immigration policy. This means:

• Our policy and practice of treating everyone equally, without regard to race, color, national origin, or immigration status, is unchanged, and will remain as strong as it has always been.
• We affirm that we have no legal authority to partner with federal authorities to enforce federal civil immigration law.
• We continue to encourage people to engage with us, freely access City services, and be free of fear in reporting crime to us, regardless of your immigration status.

A copy of the Compassionate City resolution can be found here.

Moreover, the City follows state laws in how it interacts with ICE (Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement). Union City Police Department (UCPD) Policy and the following laws prevent us from assisting with any immigration enforcement.

• California Values Act (SB 54) – Prohibits state and local police from asking about immigration statuses and aims to prevent local agencies from assisting ICE.
• Truth Act (AB 2792) – Requires law enforcement to inform individuals in custody of their right to refuse an ICE interview without a signed consent form and provides transparency regarding ICE interactions with individuals in jail.
• Trust Act (AB 4) – Limits ICE holds on individuals in local jails, allowing release unless they have been convicted of serious crimes. The law aims to reduce unnecessary detention of individuals based solely on immigration status.

More information and resources are available through the Alameda County Department of Public Health.

For additional support, visit the City’s Social Services webpage for local community partners.