Body of News Release
El Foro de la TRUTH Act (Ley de la verdad) es el 25 de marzo
Marin County, CA – Marin County residents are invited to participate in an annual community forum about a 2017 California law called the TRUTH Act and the access local governments may provide to federal immigration authorities. The forum is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 25.
The session will take place in the Board of Supervisors chamber (Suite 330) of the Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael. Spanish translation services will be available at the forum. It will be livestreamed on both the County’s website and on the Community Media Center of Marin (CMCM) webpage, as well as Channel 27 for Comcast subscribers.
The Transparent Review of Unjust Transfers and Holds Act (the “TRUTH Act”) pertains to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency and its access to individuals who have come in contact with law enforcement. The TRUTH Act requires local governing bodies, in which local law enforcement has provided any “ICE access” to an individual in custody, to hold a community forum to receive and consider public comment.
Although the County government is hosting the meeting and Board President Mary Sackett will serve as moderator, the Supervisors will take no action on the matter. At the forum, the Marin County Sheriff's Office will share data it maintains regarding individuals to whom the agency has provided any ICE access for the period January 1 through December 31, 2024. In 2024, 14 individuals were referred for ICE notifications – up slightly from 13 in 2023.
Sheriff policies have been modified in recent years to emphasize that staff no longer inquire about immigration status when carrying out duties and stopped responding to ICE regarding release dates for low-level offenses. Since 2020, ICE is no longer permitted in the secure part of the jail facility. As a result, Sheriff’s staff no longer tracks ICE arrests at the jail facility.
While the number of ICE notifications in 2024 remained steady, many in the community are concerned regarding the recent change in federal administration and its immigration enforcement strategies. Immigration enforcement is a federal issue, however the Board of Supervisors and County staff have been proactive in supporting our immigrant community, recognizing the vital contributions of immigrants to the cultural, social and economic fabric of the Marin community.
While the County of Marin has no authority regarding federal immigration policy or enforcement practices, the County remains committed to working with our federal delegation to minimize any federal enforcement actions targeting immigrant residents that threaten their civil rights; to protect the recent expansion of California’s social safety net to all residents, regardless of immigration status; and to support state privacy laws that protect personal identifying information on residents enrolled in essential benefits.
The Office of the County Executive recently convened a cross-departmental staff work group to coordinate efforts to meet the emerging needs of communities impacted by federal executive orders – including immigrants, trans and LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and communities of color. In addition, the Board of Supervisors recently took action to allocate $500,000 for coordinated immigration supports, including legal education and counsel and child and family support services.
Public comment can be provided both live in the Board chamber and as part of the videoconference. Details about joining online are on the Board of Supervisors’ webpage, which can be translated into Spanish through the “select language” choice at the top of the page. When joining the meeting online, attendees are presented with a prompt to select a preferred language.
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For disability accommodations, please phone (415) 473-6358 (voice), CA Relay 711, or e-mail the Digital Accessibility Team at least five business days in advance of the event. The County will do its best to fulfill requests received with less than five business days’ notice. Copies of documents are available in alternative formats, upon request.