July 24: TRUTH Act Community Forum to be Held in Martinez

On Tuesday, the County will hold its first TRUTH Act Forum at 2:00 pm in the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisor’s Chamber in Martinez.

This forum is aimed to give the public an opportunity to comment on the involvements of ICE, law enforcement and the West County detainees.

In 2016 Governor Brown signed into law the TRUTH ACT (AB 2792) which was written by Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D- Oakland). The TRUTH Act

According to the Bill:

This bill, the Transparent Review of Unjust Transfers and Holds (TRUTH) Act, would require a local law enforcement agency, prior to an interview between the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and an individual in custody regarding civil immigration violations, to provide the individual a written consent form, as specified, that would explain, among other things, the purpose of the interview, that it is voluntary, and that the individual may decline to be interviewed. The bill would require the consent form to be available in specified languages. The bill would require a local law enforcement agency to provide copies of specified documentation received from ICE to the individual and to notify the individual regarding the intent of the agency to comply with ICE requests. The bill would require that the records related to ICE access be public records for purposes of the California Public Records Act. The bill, commencing January 1, 2018, would require the local governing body of any county, city, or city and county in which a local law enforcement agency has provided ICE access to an individual during the last year, to hold at least one public community forum during the following year, as specified, to provide information to the public about ICE’s access to individuals and to receive and consider public comment. By requiring these local agencies to comply with these requirements, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

What is the TRUTH Act Community Forum?

A meeting to provide information to the public about what access to individuals had been provided to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency by local law enforcement departments under the jurisdiction of the Board of Supervisors for civil immigration enforcement in calendar year

Will the Forum be televised or available online?

Yes, the Forum will be televised beginning at 2:00pm on CCTV (AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, Comcast Channel 27 or Astound Channel 32). In addition, the Forum will be streamed live online and can be accessed via computer or mobile device by clicking the “Public Meetings” banner on the County website:  http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/

What local law enforcement departments will be participating in the Forum?

The County Probation Department and the Sheriff’s Office.

How can I participate in the Forum?

Attend the Forum and provide public comment to the Board of Supervisors. If you cannot attend the Forum in person, written public comments can be sent anytime via email to[email protected] or via mail to Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 651 Pine Street – Room 106, Martinez CA 94553.