It was a symbolic move. But in times like these, symbolism is everything.
By a 3-2 vote Tuesday night, the Beaumont City Council voiced its formal opposition to California’s SB 54, the California Values Act, which limits cooperation between law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. It is also calling on congress to forge a solution to the country’s immigration problems.
Councilmembers Lloyd White, Mike Lara and Rey Santos were in the majority. Mayor Nancy Carroll and Julio Martinez opposed the resolution. About 65 people spoke Tuesday night.
Hesperia has been mulling a similar resolution, but had not yet moved forward. Tuesday’s vote makes Beaumont the first city in the Inland Empire to do so.
The resolution opposing SB 54 will return for a vote on May 1. It reads as follows:
WHEREAS, the Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme law of the land. The states within the union have certain rights to enact laws that are not in conflict with the federal laws, and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Beaumont swears an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, first and foremost, as an affirmation of our duty as public servants, and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Beaumont swears an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the State of California, secondarily but with no less a duty than the first, and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Beaumont accepts that when State law conflicts with the Federal law, the Federal law shall be the supreme law of the land as specified in the United States Constitution, and
WHEREAS, the City of Beaumont believes in the rule of law both as it applies to our service to the United States of America and to the State of California, and
WHEREAS, the Council finds that the adoption of this resolution does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act and no environmental assessment is required.
NOW, THEREFORE, The City Council is committed to protecting the City of Beaumont’s residents through the enforcement of local, state, and federal laws. The adoption of SB 54 has created a conflict between state and federal law and has restricted local law enforcement’s ability to cooperate with federal authorities to protect California’s residents.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
1) To adhere to the rule of law.
2) To demand the Congress of the United States of America (both the House of Representatives and the Senate) address the need for comprehensive immigration reform and bring certainty to those who are desirous of becoming part of this experiment we call Democracy.
3) To continue to support the efforts of our local law enforcement partners in keeping our communities safe.