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Elected leaders and law enforcement officials in San Mateo County are reiterating policies related to cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement and other federal agents in the wake of protests in Los Angeles that have drawn unprecedented federal response.
As hundreds of Marines filed into the streets of Los Angeles — there according to federal authorities to protect federal buildings and local law enforcement — San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus issued a statement on Tuesday saying that it is not her job to enforce U.S. immigration policy.
“I want to reiterate our policy regarding the operations of ICE. Our policy complies with applicable state law. Additionally, our policy states that we ‘will comply only with judicial warrants,’” she said in a statement issued Tuesday morning.
“Our office is not a federal agency and we do not enforce federal laws,” she continued in the written statement emailed to news organizations. “Since I took office in January of 2023, the Sheriff’s Office has not turned anyone over to ICE. Our office remains focused on critical issues including public safety, crime prevention, emergency services, and enforcing state law and county ordinances. We serve our stated mission to protect life, property, and public peace for all members of our community, regardless of anyone’s immigration status.”
The sheriff’s statement followed a similar words from Redwood City’s mayor one night earlier.
“The city is committed to enhancing the cultural fabric in supporting and celebrating, you know, all of our neighbors, of all backgrounds here in Redwood City, that includes newcomers, immigrants, people who are contributing in all ways to make Redwood City what it is and what we enjoy it to be today,” Mayor Elmer Martínez Saballos said during the Redwood City City Council meeting. He further noted that the Redwood City Police Department is not actively engaged in looking for undocumented people.
For her part, Corpus said her agency would respect bedrock constitutional rights while also enforcing the law.
“Regarding demonstrations, we respect and honor individuals’ First Amendment rights,” she said. “We also want to remind community members that we will not tolerate any violence, harm to law enforcement or civilians, or destruction of property during protests.”
The statements come amid ongoing tensions over U.S. immigration policies in cities including Los Angeles, where the Trump administration has deployed members of the National Guard and U.S. Marines.
