Sheriff To Address Latino Crowd, Assure Rights For Undocumented

ROHNERT PARK, CA — As many as 2,000 people, most of them Latino, are expected to be at Graton Resort and Casino Friday night when Sonoma County Sheriff Mark Essick makes a public appearance to assure the Latino community his office will protect undocumented immigrants rights, public affairs representatives for Graton Resort and Casino said in a news release.

Essick is slated to address a crowd expected to turn out for a musical performance by Ramon Ayala followed by a monthly Latin baila (dance) held at the casino located at 288 Golf Course Drive W., just outside Rohnert Park city limits.

"In an effort to help undocumented immigrants in Sonoma County feel safe and know their rights in light of current federal policies, Graton Rancheria Tribal Chairman Greg Sarris will introduce Sheriff Essick on stage inside The Ballroom to deliver a message of support," according to the news release.

Graton Resort and Casino representatives said Essick will tell the Latino community his office will not turn over undocumented immigrants to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for traffic violations, driving without insurance or a license, or for minor misdemeanors such as petty theft and public intoxication.

The sheriff's office also will not turn over the undocumented immigrants to ICE for reporting they have been the victim or a crime or to assist ICE in conducting raids, according to the news release.

The sheriff will say his office cannot ask people about their immigration status and will not arrest someone on a civil immigration warrant, public affairs representatives for Graton Resort and Casino said.

Misti Wood, a spokeswoman for the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, confirmed the sheriff is speaking Friday night at the Graton event. Wood noted that the sheriff's office has been and will continue to work with ICE in areas required under Senate Bill 54.

"We want our immigrant community to report crime to us, if they are victims of crime," Wood told Patch. "Reporting crime makes everybody safer, so it is important for our immigrant community to know that we are there to protect them and respond, regardless of their immigration status."

Wood said that is the message the sheriff's office is trying to get out.

"This is a chance to talk to 2,000 people we might not have the opportunity to talk to otherwise," Wood said. "It is part of our overall engagement strategy to meet people where they are. That is why we appreciate this opportunity from Chairman Sarris of the Rancherias."

—Bay City News Service contributed to this report.