The question for Mayor Jim Clarke was:

Since the trappings appear to be in place – from the Police Dept. to the School District — is Culver City a sanctuary city?

“There really isn’t a definition of a sanctuary city,” said the mayor. “I would refer you to a letter from the police chief to the community (“Bixby on Immigration”) where he outlines that everything we are doing is Constitutional.

“We are not becoming ICE enforcement officers.

“When we stop someone, we are not asking for proof if their citizenship – or their ability to be in this country.”

Mr. Clarke said that when a suspect is arrested, he will not be turned over to ICE – unless there is a proper court warrant to do so.

“We are complying with the law,” said the mayor. “Whether that makes us a sanctuary city or not, I don’t know.”

Mr. Clarke said that “a sanctuary city goes a step further.  Some cities actually are putting up funds to help get lawyers for people who are improperly detained.

“I see where the city of L.A. has decriminalized sidewalk vendors because that was a misdemeanor. If they got a misdemeanor, could that mean they would be subject to deportation by ICE?”

Should an undocumented immigrant feel safe in Culver City?

“Yeah,” said Mr. Clarke. “That is because we are not doing anything to ascertain whether they are undocumented.”

Should an undocumented person feel as safe here as he would in San Francisco?

“I think so,” the mayor said. “Again, though, I am not exactly sure what someone else would do.”

Final Word

Meanwhile, Police Chief Scott Bixby said that last weekend’s travel pronouncement by President Trump did not affect his department n any manner.