Sheriff Kelly A. Martinez of San Diego County has reaffirmed her dedication to the well-being of all residents, with a pronounced commitment to the undocumented individuals living within her jurisdiction. In a message posted on the county's official website, Martinez outlined her approach, which balances the scales of justice for undocumented immigrants and victims of crimes, often who share that same status of non-citizenship. Martinez shared that "Victims include undocumented individuals – these vulnerable individuals express to me that their legal status is used as a weapon against them when offenders from their community victimize them."
The contentious topic of local law enforcement cooperating with federal immigration authorities is dense, guided by state laws that Sheriff Martinez insists are clear-cut, without loopholes. However, previous legislative efforts to extend these circumstances were halted by a veto from Governor Newsom, who, according to the sheriff, supports the notion that existing laws effectively balance safety concerns with the rights of immigrants. Martinez stated via the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, "Since becoming Sheriff, I have been committed to balancing the requirements of state law with the Sheriff's Office policies and procedures, which have incorporated input from community and immigration advocates."
Annual public presentations under the Truth Act Forum by the Sheriff's Office are concrete efforts by Martinez and her team to demonstrate compliance with the legislation known as SB 54 publicly. Importance is placed on transparency and trust-building between law enforcement and immigrant communities, with information made readily available on the San Diego County Sheriff's Office website. These presentations are a testament to the department's pledge of openness and inclusive dialogue with the undocumented populace.
Concluding her message, Martinez reiterated a vision for a community where "every member of our region to live with dignity, security and the opportunity to thrive." The Sheriff’s Office has endeavored to mirror the diversity it serves, with its staff embodying the wealth of experiences coming from the varied backgrounds of San Diego's demographic landscape. "I am proud of the work my team has been doing to educate our undocumented community members and immigrant newcomers," she proclaimed, underlining an active commitment to fostering a department that empathizes with and protects the entirety of its constituents, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office's official website.
