WATSONVILLE >> 04/12/17, 3:44 PM PDT

In order to show solidarity with “all of its residents” and promote a culture of safety, the Watsonville City Council unanimously passed an uncodified ordinance Tuesday that reaffirms Watsonville’s status as a sanctuary city and establishes the city’s procedures concerning immigration status and enforcement of federal civil immigration laws.

City Attorney Alan Smith explained that an “uncodified” ordinance is an ordinance that does not appear in a book or code. 

Watsonville Police Chief David Honda approved the language of the ordinance. The police department will revise its own code to reflect the change. The new ordinance will go into effect May 12.

Meanwhile, in Sacramento, state Senate leader Kevin de León introduced Senate Bill 54 on what was an unusually acrimonious first day of the 2017 legislative session, as lawmakers in both chambers were locked in bitter debate over the still newly elected President Donald Trump.

The proposal, known as the “sanctuary state” bill, was sparked by the Trump administration’s broadened deportation orders. It would expand so-called sanctuary city policies, prohibiting state and local law enforcement agencies, including school police and security departments, from using resources to investigate, interrogate, detain, detect or arrest people for immigration enforcement purposes.

But as President Trump and U.S. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions have threatened to slash federal funding from “sanctuary cities,” the state legislation is raising heated opposition from Republican lawmakers and sheriffs. They argue its provisions could strain the state’s finances and shield dangerous criminals.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT SB54? 

How about calling our local representatives in Sacramento?

Mark Stone, California State Assembly Member is at (831) 425-1503

Bill Monning, California State Senator is at (831) 425-0401

I bet they'd love to hear what you have to say about the issue.