THE THREAT OF ICE
Published in the January 25, 2025 edition.
More than 30 people convened in-person last Friday night to discuss the Latin community’s rights and concerns amid new federal immigration threats. Another 30+ people joined online.
The Foro Latino event was hosted by Mono County Behavioral Health at the Mono County Civic Center. It addressed rumors that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was detaining people last week. The rumors were false, and a photograph circulating online was actually taken in Minnesota a couple of years ago, Daniel Casabian, Mammoth Police Chief, reassured attendees.
“We cannot promise ICE will not come to Mammoth, but we can promise we will not work with them,” said Mono County Sheriff Ingrid Braun, her words translated to Spanish by one of her Sergeants.
President Donald Trump, who took office this week, has long pledged to mass deport millions of people, according to the Associated Press. And federal law allows ICE to enter agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies, which enables certain officers to carry out immigration enforcement tasks under the supervision of ICE officers.
However, Braun said her department will never inquire about a person’s immigration status during regular contact and does not collaborate with ICE or arrest individuals for civil immigration violations. She also said her department will not hold a person in custody beyond their release date, even if ICE shows interest in that person.
Mammoth Lakes Police Department and the Mammoth
Lakes Fire Department will also follow suit, Casabian said.
“We don’t work for the federal government, we work for the state,” Braun said.
California is one of eleven ‘sanctuary states,’ a designation created by the California Values Act in October 2017. This law limits cooperation between state and local agencies and federal immigration authorities.
But still, fear within the immigrant community is palpable. One migrant said she worries about talking to her 13-year-old-daughter about what deportation would mean for their family, although she has lived in the U.S. for more than 30 years and has a bachelor’s degree. Another person, tearing up, said she empathized with the stress. Although she’d lived in Mono county for more than 40 years, she only just authorized her citizenship in the past year.
Here are some questions which were asked or implied at the meeting, and their corresponding answers.
Q: Is immigration required to tell local law enforcement they are coming to town?
A: No.
There is no law in California that specifically requires ICE to disclose when they are conducting operations in a town.
“If immigration does come, they’re probably going to hit Bishop and Lone Pine first and you will know before we do.”
– Sheriff Braun
Q: Are landlords required to disclose info on the immigration status of their tenants?
A: No, except in certain circumstances.
The California Civil Code Section prohibits landlords from discriminating against tenants based on their immigration status or national origin. It also protects tenants from being forced to disclose their immigration status during rental applications or lease renewals.
Landlords are not obligated to disclose their tenants’ immigration status to federal immigration authorities. In fact, they are generally prohibited from doing so unless legally compelled by a court order or other legal processes. The California Values Act limits cooperation between local and state agencies and federal immigration authorities, including with landlords.
Moreover, tenants have the right to live without fear of eviction or discrimination based on their immigration status. California law prevents landlords from evicting or taking adverse action against tenants solely because of their immigration status.
Q: Are employers required to disclose information on the immigration status of their staff?
A: No, except in certain circumstances.
The Immigrant Worker Protection Act, passed in 2018, prevents employers from allowing ICE to enter workplaces without a warrant and requires them to notify employees of any immigration enforcement actions. Employers are also required to notify their employees if ICE is conducting an immigration enforcement operation at the workplace.
However, employers must verify the employment eligibility of all employees by completing the I-9 form. This form requires employees to provide documentation that proves their identity and work authorization (such as a passport, Social Security card, or work visa) if they are audited or if an employee is subject to an immigration investigation.
The Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce is consistently updating local business owners on their rights pertaining to immigration, said Brianna Goico, the Chamber’s CEO.
Q: Does the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) share information on people’s immigration status with ICE?
A: No.
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) generally does not share information about individuals’ immigration status with ICE. California Vehicle Code prohibits the DMV from releasing personal information, including immigration status, to federal immigration authorities unless required by a court order or other legal directive.
Q: Can I be deported if I have a Permanent Resident Card (a.k.a. green card), but it is not physically on me?
A: Potentially.
According to U.S. immigration law, green card holders are required to carry their card and present it upon request, but failure to carry it is not an automatic cause for deportation. However, if you cannot provide sufficient proof of your status, it may delay your ability to demonstrate your lawful status, and authorities could detain you until they can verify your information.
Q: Are schools required to disclose information on the immigration status of their students and their families?
A: No.
Public schools are prohibited from requesting or recording information about a student’s immigration status, according to California Education Code. And under the Plyler v. Doe Supreme Court decision, public schools cannot deny education to any child, regardless of their immigration status. This ruling mandates that all children in the U.S. have the right to attend public school, even if they are undocumented.
“Mammoth Unified School District (MUSD) does not solicit or collect information on students or family immigration status,” said Annie Rinaldi, MUSD Superintendent. “MUSD is committed to ensuring that our schools are safe while providing spaces for all students and their families, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status.”
The school district will not assist with immigration enforcement unless specifically required by state or federal law, Rinaldi said.
Q: Are hospitals required to disclose information on the immigration status of their patients and their visitors?
A: No.
Schools, libraries, places of worship and medical areas have immigration designated sensitive areas, places where immigration enforcement activities are typically prohibited, according to ICE Guidelines for Enforcement Actions in or Near Protected Areas.
“There isn’t even a place on our intake forms to note immigration status,” said Tom Parker, Mammoth Hospital CEO.
Q: Are undocumented immigrants eligible for benefits?
A: Yes.
Mono County Health provides nutritional programming, public health services, immunizations, dental supplies, mental health supplies, prenatal vitamins, STI testing and information, disease prevention and treatment, without asking for immigration status.
“Mono County Health and Human Services is committed to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their immigration status, can access essential social and public health services and immigration status is not a barrier,” said Wendy Guzman-Rangel, social services.
Public health services such as CAL MED, the state medical care program, and CalFresh, the state food stamps program, are ensured for everyone. California state law prevents personal information, including immigration information, from being shared with immigration officials.
For more details on these benefits and how they pertain to immigration, Guzman-Rangel directs people to https://keepyourbenefits.org/, which is available in both Spanish and English.
By the way, an immigration attorney will be holding an informational event this Saturday at 6 p.m. in the Emerald Room at the Village at Mammoth.
