Fresno County supervisor backs bill for ICE cooperation

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A Fresno County Supervisor is showing his support for a new bill that would “enhance the cooperation between state and federal law enforcement agencies with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” according to a two-page letter sent to the California State Senate on Monday.

Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig, who represents District 5, sent a two-page letter to the California State Senate in support of Senate Bill 554 on Monday.

SB554, introduced by Senator Jones on Feb. 20, would permit law enforcement officials to cooperate with immigration authorities’ responses relating to a person’s release date. The proposal eliminates the discretion granted to state law enforcement that is currently in effect.

In the letter, Magsig says the arguments in favor of the bill are “undeniably compelling, directly addressing critical public safety concerns” and that “a primary strength of this bill lies in its ability to prioritize public safety by facilitating the removal of serious criminals from our communities.”

Magsig continues that the bill would provide clarity by eliminating the “current confusion and ambiguity surrounding illegal immigration enforcement responsibilities.”

Supervisor Nathan Magsig is not the only official who supports cooperation between law enforcement agencies and ICE: the Sheriff of Fresno County and the Sheriff of Mariposa County both recently announced their support of such collaboration, asking for a reexamination of SB54, which currently restricts local law enforcement from sharing information with ICE.

Magsig ends the letter by stating he understands “that illegal immigration is a complex and sensitive issue” but he believes the bill “strikes a necessary balance between upholding the law and protecting public safety.”

Senate Bill 554 was introduced to the California legislature on Feb. 20.