Councilmember Gordo “Demands Accountability” From Police After Revelation of Department Agreement With ICE

 

Pasadena City Councilmember Victor Gordo said he is “deeply disappointed” following revelations that the Pasadena Police Department has a collaboration agreement with the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE).

A copy of the ICE-Pasadena Police Department agreement was obtained on February 9 through a Public Records Act request by attorneys for Pasadena activist Pablo Alvarado and made public on Sunday. The agreement appears to indicate local police might cooperate more closely with immigration authorities than previously announced.

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Agreement Between Pasadena Police and Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration & Customs Enforcement   Click to Read

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Police Chief Phillip Sanchez, however, said on Sunday that the agreement will not change Pasadena’s current policy of non-cooperation with immigration enforcement actions on behalf of ICE.

Sanchez said the agreement is the most recent renewal of a long-standing security arrangement with federal immigration authorities which has been in place since shortly after 9/11.

Gordo, who is running for re-election in District 5, reacted to news of the agreement’s existence in a statement issued Monday evening.

“With the immigration-related campaign promises made by President Trump, many in our community expressed their concern and anxiety at what that could mean for their family, friends, and loved ones,” Gordo said in a statement Monday evening, “Our Council and community should have been made aware of this agreement when Council raised this critical community discussion last year in November and December.”

Gordo pointed out that last December, he and Councilmember Steve Madison requested a thorough and public Council discussion based upon their concerns as to how the incoming Trump administration’s policies might affect Pasadena.

“At that time, we reiterated that our City would not be involved in any federal immigration enforcement activities,” Gordo recalled.

The agreement between the Pasadena Police Department and ICE was never mentioned at the Council meetings by police or city officials.

Gordo said that after he became aware of the agreement over the past weekend, he requested full accountability in regards to police actions which either occurred or might occur under the agreement’s terms.

“In light of our community’s significant concern on this issue, our Council resolution, and our City’s recent reiteration of our long-standing commitment to protecting all our residents, I immediately requested a full accounting of the agreement, including activity contemplated or required under the agreement and how the reimbursement called for in the agreement is determined.” Gordo said in the statement.

“I also requested a complete accounting of any and all activities where our City engaged in activity triggering reimbursement. Having previously raised this issue publicly, I intend to continue advocating on behalf of, and protecting the rights of all our City’s residents,” Gordo said.