Sanctuary Policy Preemption: Berkeley vs Sunol
How do sanctuary policy preemption rules compare between Berkeley, CA and Sunol, CA?
Berkeley has fewer restrictions than Sunol.
Berkeley, CA
Alameda County
Berkeley declared itself a sanctuary city in 1971 for Vietnam War draft resisters and has expanded the policy ever since, prohibiting city employees and police from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement except as state law requires.
View full Berkeley rules →Sunol, CA
Alameda County
The California Values Act (SB 54, 2017) codified at Government Code 7284-7284.12 limits state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It applies uniformly to every California agency and bars participation in most civil immigration enforcement.
View full Sunol rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Berkeley | Sunol |
|---|---|---|
| First adopted | 1971 draft resister sanctuary | - |
| Code | BMC 13.106 | - |
| State backstop | SB 54 TRUST Act | - |
| Service questions | Status not asked | - |
| Enacting Law | - | SB 54 (2017) |
| Core Statute | - | Gov Code 7284.6 |
| Felony Carve-Outs | - | Gov Code 7282.5 |
| Statewide Application | - | Yes |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Berkeley FAQ
Will Berkeley police call ICE if I report a crime?
No. Berkeley policy and California SB 54 prohibit officers from asking immigration status or sharing information for civil enforcement purposes when residents seek help.
Are there exceptions to the sanctuary rule?
Yes, when a serious felony conviction triggers state-law transfer authority under SB 54, or when a judicial criminal warrant requires cooperation with federal authorities.
Sunol FAQ
Can California cities opt out of the California Values Act?
No. Government Code 7284.6 binds every state and local law enforcement agency. Charter cities and counties cannot adopt ordinances authorizing assistance prohibited by SB 54.
Does sanctuary law block all cooperation with ICE?
No. Government Code 7282.5 permits notification and transfer for persons convicted of enumerated serious or violent felonies, and federal criminal warrants are honored. Civil immigration enforcement assistance is broadly restricted.
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