Tuesday morning the Kern County Board of Supervisors voted to officially oppose Senate Bill 54, also know as the "Sanctuary State Bill."
According to proponents of SB 54, this would protect undocumented resident families who aren't criminals.
"When someone crosses the border without papers, they're not hurting anybody. they're not hurting anybody," said Dolores Huerta, a community activist and co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America.
According to opponents, however, this bill would prevent law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officials.
The vote Tuesday morning was 4-1 in favor of opposing SB 54 with Supervisor Leticia Perez casting the only opposing vote.
"I cannot support an opposition to 54 because of the message it sends, because of the way it continues to polarize this community," said Supervisor Perez.
Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood has been outspoken about his opposition of SB 54.
"I want to make it clear, I am willing to go at this alone, I'm willing to declare as Sheriff that we're a non-sanctuary county," said Sheriff Youngblood at last week's board of supervisors meeting.
Several of the board members and the county administration officer are planning on traveling to Sacramento next week to meet with the creator of SB54, Senator Kevin De Leon, about the language of the bill and the adjustments that they would like to see.
Sheriff Youngblood said he will be attending that meeting as well.
For more information about Senate Bill 54, click here.
