Dear Mayor Lee,

I am writing to express my strong support for San Francisco’s Due Process Ordinance (BOS File No. 160022) and to encourage you to continue to respect and uphold local law. Also to support Upholding Due Process Legislation, an update on our ordinance passed in 2013 is responding to the new tactics ICE is using to enlist local law enforcement agencies in the business of mass deportations.

In November 2014, the Department of Homeland Security announced the termination of the controversial Secure Communities program, and in its place introduced PEP. Under PEP, ICE relies less on “hold” requests, which several federal courts have found to be unconstitutional, in favor of “notification” requests, which seek the release of details and other personal information of immigrants. These notification requests yield the exact same results as hold requests--a person’s direct custody transfer from local law enforcement to ICE. These notification requests also carry a risk of liability to the local law enforcement agency, as even a few minutes of detention past the person’s release violates the Fourth Amendment. We ask that you support Upholding Due Process Ordinance without amendments to prevent more people being deported from our city, and approve when it comes your desk after being voted on by the board of supervisors. 

By supporting Upholding the Due Process Ordinance we will fight the widespread fear and lack of transparency with ICE, protecting the rights of our immigrant community and ensuring that San Francisco remains a safe place for all. Recently, Pedro Figueroa, a resident of the Mission District and father to an 8-year-old U.S. citizen child, was turned over to ICE after seeking help from the Police Department when his vehicle was stolen. As a result of the entanglement between our local law enforcement agencies and ICE, both the Police Department and Sheriff’s Department contacted ICE and alerted them to Pedro’s location. ICE picked Pedro up as soon as he left the police station. Pedro was in ICE detention for over two months, and even missed celebrating Christmas with his family. San Franciscans like Pedro should not have to fear seeking help because of police-ICE entanglement.

In the mist of a crisis of brutality, lack of transparency and lack of community trust with San Francisco Law enforcement agencies; it is key that you remain strong in upholding the values of San Francisco as a city that integrates immigrants and respects human and civil rights. Will your legacy as a Mayor become aiding mass deportations or championing human dignity? Do the right thing, support Upholding Due Process Legislation with no amendments and sign its approval when it comes to your desk!

Sincerely,