Here is a tale of three California county Sheriffs. The Ventura Sheriff, Jim Fryhoff, is refusing to obey Federal law. The Riverside Sheriff, Chad Bianco has made it clear he will use his Deputies to protect illegal aliens.
Then you have the Amador Sheriff, Gary Redmond, who has decided to uphold his oath of office and enforce the laws.
“”It really comes down to that basic premise. You know, what is my job as sheriff of Amador County? And that is to make everybody feel safe and be safe,” said Gary Redman, the Amador County Sheriff.
Redman told KCRA that he is taking a “Public Safety First” approach to undocumented immigrants.”
Amador County Sheriff says they will be cooperating with ICE
Andres Valle, KCRA, 2/18/25 https://www.kcra.com/article/amador-county-sheriff-cooperating-with-ice/63835924
JACKSON, Calif. —
The Amador County Sheriff’s Office announced on Tuesday that they will begin cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The move raises questions as to how they will partner with ICE when it comes to those who are undocumented.
“It really comes down to that basic premise. You know, what is my job as sheriff of Amador County? And that is to make everybody feel safe and be safe,” said Gary Redman, the Amador County Sheriff.
Redman told KCRA that he is taking a “Public Safety First” approach to undocumented immigrants.
The sheriff says they will contact ICE if they arrest someone in the country illegally.
“I want everybody to feel safe, regardless of your status. But if you are a public safety risk, you are a violent felon. I’m going to do everything in my power to come after you. And if that part is contacting ICE and dealing with ICE to get you out of Amador County, I’m going to use that,” said Redman.
According to the sheriff, the policy will specifically target individuals involved in violent and serious crimes, such as documented gang or cartel members, rapists, murderers, child molesters, and domestic violence offenders.
State law (SB-54) allows law enforcement to coordinate with ICE for people convicted of or facing credible charges of violent or serious felonies, but the law has some limits.
“SB 54 since 2017 has not permitted state law enforcement officials to ask immigration-related questions, and the courts can’t do it either,” said Hugo Vera, an Immigration Attorney.
Vera believes this announcement does not break the so-called “California Values Act.”
However, he believes it sets the stage for more counties to challenge it.
“I think they’re starting to open the door to challenging the state’s sanctuary law. I do see a clear kind of first shot at undoing some of the protection provisions in SB 54 that protect the immigrant community here,” said Vera.
Vera adds that further down the line he expects the state of California to be stricter about the clarity of what the sanctuary state law means.
Sheriff Redman made it clear that his department will not adhere to SB 54. He claimed that it would place him in violation of federal law.
However, in 2019, the Ninth Circuit of Appeals Court ruled that SB 54 does not violate federal law.
“I feel like I’m up against a wall. But at the end of the day, my job is to provide the best possible place for people not only living but visiting Amador County,” said Redman.
